Media Release – January 5, 2026

Knife brandished during theft

The Guelph Police Service is investigating after two employees of a north-end business were threatened with a knife while trying to stop a shoplifter.

Approximately 10:30 p.m. Saturday police were called to a business on Woodlawn Road West. A loss prevention employee had seen a man placing pharmacy items into a duffel bag and notified a colleague.

As the man attempted to leave without paying he was approached by both employees. The man removed a folding knife from his pocket and extended the blade. He thrust it several times towards the employees before fleeing on foot.

The investigation is ongoing.

Long list of charges following arrest

A Guelph man faces a long list of charges after officers responded to a suspicious person call Sunday morning.

Approximately 9:20 a.m. police were called to an apartment building near Wellington Street East and Neeve Street after a witness reported seeing someone trying to gain entry to the building before entering the parking garage.

Officers checked the garage and located a bicycle and two backpacks. A search of the backpacks revealed three unloaded BB guns, a slingshot and several identification documents in various names.

Officers searched the area and located the suspect, who fled on foot and was seen throwing something into the river. He was caught and arrested a short distance away. A loaded BB rifle was recovered.

A 39-year-old Guelph man is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, possessing stolen property under $5,000, failing to attend court, six counts of possessing identity documents and 10 counts of failing to comply with court orders. He was held for a bail hearing Monday.

Home entered while family on vacation

The Guelph Police Service is investigating after a west-end family returned from vacation to find their home had been entered.

Saturday evening police were called to the area of College Avenue West and Flanders Road. The owners had been away since before Christmas and came home to find the rear patio door had been smashed. A quantity of jewelry was reported missing.

The owner told police a baby monitor inside the house detected motion on December 30.

Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Samantha Worthington at 519-824-1212, ext. 7326, email sworthington@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.

Apartment building entered

The Guelph Police Service is investigating after two men broke into a north-end apartment building last Friday.

Approximately 12:20 a.m. the two were caught on security video loitering in the lobby of a building near Woolwich Street and Marilyn Drive however no attempt was made to enter.

A short time later they attended another nearby building, where one of the men used a prybar to open the front door. They also attempted unsuccessfully to enter the building’s mail room.

The first man was described as white and wearing a shiny black puffy jacket, black hoodie, black pants, black and white Nike shoes and a baseball cap and carrying a coffee.

The second was wearing a grey parka with fur hood, black pants, black and white shoes and a backpack.

Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Sebastien Brugma at 519-824-1212, ext. 7593, email sbrugma@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.

Total calls for service in the last 72 hours - 603