Media Release – January 15, 2026

Woman slapped for not having lighter

A Guelph woman faces assault charges after a stranger was slapped for not having a cigarette lighter Wednesday morning.

Approximately 9:45 a.m. police were called by staff of a business near Woolwich Street and Marilyn Drive about a woman who was inside screaming and being confrontational with staff and customers.

The suspect left the business and approached two people nearby, asking for a light. When the woman said she didn’t have a lighter she was slapped in the face. She did not require medical attention.

A short time later the suspect approached another woman for a light. When she also didn’t have a lighter her phone was slapped out of her hand.

Officers arrived on scene and located the suspect. A 38-year-old Guelph woman is charged with two counts of assault and causing a disturbance. She was held for a bail hearing next Monday.

Mail stolen from apartment building

The Guelph Police Service is investigating after a man broke into mailboxes and stole mail from a west-end apartment building.

On Wednesday morning the superintendent of a building near Paisley Road and Elmira Road South reported a man had entered the building just before 4:30 a.m. using a resident’s fob which had been reported missing a week earlier. He used a tool to pry open two mailboxes and left the building carrying unknown items.

He was described as a white male wearing a silver jacket, white pants, white shoes, a black hoodie and grey and red mask.

Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Cam McKeen at 519-824-1212, ext. 7361, email cmckeen@guelphpolice.ca, leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.

17 collisions during overnight storm

Guelph Police Service officers responded to 17 motor vehicle collisions between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Thursday.

Only one of the collisions – at Stone Road West and Scottsdale Drive Wednesday evening – resulted in minor injuries with one driver transported to hospital for a possible concussion.

The Guelph Police Service would like to encourage the public to slow down, follow the rules of the road and drive according to weather conditions to help ensure everyone arrives safely at their destination.

Two stunt drivers taken off road

Two Guelph motorists were taken off the road Wednesday morning after they were each charged with stunt driving.

Approximately 8:20 a.m. a member of the Guelph Police Service Traffic Unit clocked a BMW travelling 108 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on Wellington Street West near Imperial Road South. A 43-year-old Guelph man is charged with speeding and stunt driving.

At 4 p.m. the same officer was patrolling on Speedvale Avenue West at Elmira Road North when he clocked a Lexus travelling 118 km/h in a posted 60 km/h zone. A 33-year-old Guelph man is charged with speeding and stunt driving.

Both drivers had their licences suspended for 30 days and their vehicles impounded for 14 days. A stunt driving conviction will attract a minimum licence suspension of one year, a minimum fine of $2,000 and six demerit points.

Total calls for service in the last 24 hours - 273