Media Release – November 9, 2026

Arson charge after fire destroys place of worship

A Guelph man is charged with arson after a fire Sunday which caused an estimated $1 million in damage to a place of worship.

Just after 10 a.m. emergency services were called to the Al-Fatema Islamic Centre on Stevenson Street South after a witness reported flames and thick smoke coming through the roof. The interior of the building was completely destroyed.

The building’s owner arrived on scene and told officers a man had been observed on security cameras inside when the building was supposed to be vacant earlier in the morning.

Approximately 1:30 p.m. a man was located and arrested. A 38-year-old Guelph man is charged with arson and three counts of breaching probation orders. He was held for a bail hearing Monday.

The man is known to the building’s owners. The Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office is expected to be on scene Monday for further investigation but the fire is not believed to be hate-motivated. (Occurrence number GU26077195)

Man arrested in indecent act

A Guelph man has been arrested following an indecent act at Stone Road Mall.

An employee of the mall reported the incident which occurred October 13. The employee reported being outside speaking with a co-worker that day when they saw a man in the stairwell of the parkade who appeared to be masturbating while looking at his phone.

On Saturday a 38-year-old Guelph man was arrested for committing an indecent act in public. He will appear in court February 5. (Occurrence number GU26071258)

Several charges following disturbance

A Guelph woman faces several charges following a disturbance Saturday at a social service agency.

Just after 4 p.m. police were called to an address on Gordon Street to remove a woman who was causing a disturbance. As officers approached the woman she clenched her fists while uttering threats.

A bystander intervened and tried to convince the woman to leave, but instead she pulled down her pants and exposed herself to officers and several community members. As officers attempted to arrest her the woman kicked one of them in the leg.

A 51-year-old Guelph woman is charged with causing a disturbance, indecent act, assault police and uttering threats. She was held for bail and has been released to appear in court November 13. (Occurrence number GU26077051)

Jewelry, watches stolen in burglary

The Guelph Police Service is investigating after thousands of dollars in watches and jewelry were stolen from a south-end home.

Approximately 11:40 p.m. Friday a resident near Clairfields Drive West and Gibbs Crescent reported they arrived home to find a rear sliding door smashed and muddy shoe prints throughout the upper floor of the home.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Constable Layne Beaver at 519-824-1212, ext. 7607, or email lbeaver@guelphpolice.ca. (Occurrence number GU26076904)

Two impaired arrests

Two motorists were arrested for impaired driving in Guelph over the weekend, including one who fled the collision because he was trying to get to court.

Approximately 11:15 a.m. Friday police were notified of a collision at Norfolk Street and Macdonell Street in which a vehicle stopped in the turning lane was rear-ended. When one of the drivers said he was calling the police the other driver left in his vehicle.

He was observed striking the curb while attempting to park at the courthouse on Wyndham Street South. Officers saw the man walking away from his car and noted he was unsteady on his feet. When they stopped him he had slow speech and was struggling to keep his eyes open. During a search of the vehicle officers located a contaminated pipe and quantity of suspected fentanyl.

The man was transported to the police station to be assessed by an officer trained in drug recognition, however refused to complete the examination.

A 48-year-old Guelph man is charged with impaired driving, refusing to comply with a demand, dangerous driving, possessing a controlled substance and driving while suspended. He will appear in court December 18.

Also this weekend, a 28-year-old North Dumfries man was arrested for impaired driving following a traffic stop Saturday night. Breath tests revealed he had more than twice the legal amount of alcohol in his system. Both men had their licences suspended for 90 days and their vehicles impounded for seven days.

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 numbers GU26076741, GU26077128)

Total calls for service in the last 72 hours - 701