Media Release – March 17, 2026

Boy arrested in mall assault

A Guelph boy has been arrested after an employee at a south-end business was assaulted.

On February 11, police were called to the food court at Stone Road Mall. An employee at a take-out restaurant reported a dispute with a young male, during which the male used a racial slur before throwing a plastic tray and other items at the victim. The victim was not injured.

Officers recognized the teen from security video. On Sunday a 15-year-old Guelph boy was arrested for assault with a weapon. He will appear in court April 29. (Occurrence number GU26016910)

$5k lost in text scam

Residents are reminded to be cautious after a woman was scammed out of $5,000, believing she was sending the funds on behalf of her son.

On Monday police were contacted by a woman in her 70s. She reported earlier this month she received a text she believed was from her son. The sender claimed he had been in a collision and required $2,980 to repair the other driver’s car. The victim sent an e-transfer to an email address provided in the text.

The next day she received another text requesting more money and sent another $2,021 before discovering her son had not sent the texts.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Daniel Dipaolo at 519-824-1212, ext. 7808, email ddipaolo@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.

Residents are encouraged to be wary of any telephone call, email or text which requires you to take immediate action. It is always best to independently contact the supposed sender and confirm the legitimacy of the correspondence before taking action.

Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of cybercrime or fraud should report it to their local police and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s online reporting system or by phone at 1-888-495-8501. Even if no financial loss has been sustained, interactions can still be reported to the CAFC. (Occurrence number GU26017169)

Driver blows three times the limit

An Ariss woman faces impaired driving charges after she was found passed out in her vehicle Monday afternoon.

At 3:50 p.m. police were called by a witness to Woodlawn Road West and Dawson Road. The caller reported a woman initially passed out in a running vehicle stopped at the side of the road, who then awoke and was slurring her words.

Officers arrived and spoke to the woman and immediately detected  a strong odour of alcohol. She stepped out of the vehicle and was unsteady on her feet. She was arrested and transported to the police station, where tests revealed she had three times the legal limit of alcohol in her system.

A 37-year-old Ariss woman is charged with impaired driving. Her licence was suspended for 90 days and her vehicle was impounded for seven days. She will appear in court April 28.

The Guelph Police Service would like to encourage the public to be responsible if they choose to consume alcohol and cannabis. Please don’t drive if you are going to consume alcohol or cannabis, and please ensure that you plan ahead so that you have a safe ride home. Anyone who spots a suspected impaired driver is asked to immediately call 911. (Occurrence number GU26017202)

Total calls for service in the last 24 hours - 238