Media Release – March 11, 2026

Brampton man arrested for fraud

A Brampton man has been arrested after a Guelph man was defrauded of more than $31,000.

Last summer, the victim was introduced to the suspect through a mutual friend. The victim was interested in applying for a business loan and the other man offered to help with the process.

The two set up a registered company and opened a company bank account. During this process the victim provided information including his banking details and social insurance number.

In December, two unknown individuals deposited a number of fraudulent cheques into the account and immediately withdrew the funds before the cheques were returned, leaving the victim’s account with a negative balance of more than $31,000.

When the victim confronted the suspect he stopped responding.

On Monday a 33-year-old Brampton man was arrested for fraud over $5,000. He will appear in court June 2. (Occurrence number GU26015580)

Toy gun draws police response

Residents are once again reminded to be cautious with toy and replica firearms after a water gun drew several officers to the downtown core Sunday afternoon.

Approximately 4:40 p.m. police received a report of a man walking near Quebec Street and Norfolk Street with a gun in his hand. Several officers checked the downtown before the man was located in a parking lot. As officers approached he attempted to conceal something inside his jacket.

Investigation revealed the item was a black battery-powered water gun which resembled a Glock firearm. The man understood why people might have been concerned about the toy’s appearance and agreed to surrender it to police. No charges were laid.

Police are increasingly encountering replica firearms, including toys and pellet or BB guns. Many of these objects are difficult to tell from real firearms, which can cause witnesses to become alarmed. Officers responding to such calls must consider the firearms real until proven otherwise.

Residents are strongly urged not to possess replica firearms in public settings and reminded that using them to threaten or intimidate others will usually result in criminal charges. (Occurrence number GU26015573)

(Replica firearm in attached image is not the one seized in this occurrence)

Hospital staff assaulted

A Guelph woman was arrested after attempting to bite a hospital employee Wednesday morning.

Just after 1 a.m. police were called to Guelph General Hospital. Staff had located a woman loitering near a staff entrance door and asked her several times to leave the area, which she refused to do.

While trying to remove her, the woman brought an employee’s arm towards her mouth. The victim pulled her arm away but felt the woman’s teeth graze her skin. During the scuffle the victim sustained a small cut on her arm.

A 41-year-old Guelph woman was arrested for assault and breach of probation. She was later released to appear in court June 12. (Occurrence number GU26015889)

Total calls for service in the last 24 hours - 242