Media Release – January 6, 2025

Facebook post leads to unsafe vehicle taken off road

A Facebook post showing a severely bald tire on a motor vehicle has led to charges against the owner and the vehicle being taken off the road.

On December 31, a member of the Guelph Police Service Traffic Unit was alerted by a family member to a Facebook post depicting a Chevrolet Avalanche pickup parked at a north-end business with a tire so bald the metal cords were visible.

Given the severity of the photo observed, the officer was concerned that the vehicle was dangerously unsafe and needed to be located for public safety reasons. The officer conducted a brief investigation and learned that the vehicle was uninsured as well.

That evening, on-duty members of the Traffic Unit were notified by the off-duty officer and on January 2, shortly after 9 p.m., the vehicle was located driving on Speedvale Avenue East and a traffic stop was conducted.

It was confirmed that the tire was severely bald and was worn down to the inner layers of the tire with the metal reinforcement cords exposed and that the driver failed to maintain insurance on the vehicle. The officer who located the vehicle is a certified commercial motor vehicle inspector and formed the opinion that the vehicle was in such a condition due to serious issues with steering components.

As a result, the driver and owner of the vehicle – a 34-year-old Guelph woman -- was charged with operating a motor vehicle with no insurance and using improper tires under the Highway Traffic Act. The licence plates were seized, and the vehicle’s permit was changed to unfit status, meaning the owner must have appropriate repairs completed, as well as a safety inspection, before the vehicle can be re-licensed and plated for use on our roadways.

Man buys $800 in fake Apple devices

Residents are reminded to be wary of deals that seem too good to be true after a man paid $800 for Apple devices only to discover they were fake.

The victim reported he and his wife attended the Wal-Mart on Stone Road West Saturday afternoon. As they exited their vehicle they were approached by a man and woman in a white SUV. The couple explained they were trying to sell some items to raise rent money and avoid being evicted. The man offered to sell an iPhone, Air Pods and an Apple watch for $800.

The victim was interested and attended his bank with the suspects to withdraw the cash. He was skeptical, but the suspects assured him the items were legitimate and still boxed. When the victim got home and inspected the items he learned they were fake.

The investigation is ongoing.

Tool theft under investigation

The Guelph Police Service continues to investigate after two men stole nearly $3,000 worth of tools from a north-end business.

Just after 6 p.m. November 15, two men entered a business on Woodlawn Road West. They attended the hardware section, placed a dozen Milwaukee tools in their cart and walked out.

They were described as:

1.  Brown skin, 5’5”, 160 pounds, medium build, black hair, wearing a black t-shirt, grey cargo pants, black hat, black Nike fanny pack and white running shoes

2.  Brown skin, 5’7”, 190 pounds, medium build, black hair, wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, black pants and white running shoes.

They were seen leaving in a white Mazda 3.

Anyone with information or who recognizes the men in the attached photo is asked to call Constable Todd Van Iersel at 519-824-1212, ext. 7557, email tvaniersel@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 24 hours - 213