Media Release – September 23, 2026

Man extorted after visiting escort site

A Guelph man is out $2,500 after an extortion scheme which began with a website visit.

On Tuesday evening the man contacted police. He said he had been visiting an escort website and had contacted several women, but had not followed up with them.

He later received a text and phone call from a man upset the complainant had been wasting the women’s time. The man demanded payment of $2,500 and threatened to harm the complainant and his family if payment was not made.

The complainant visited two Bitcoin ATM machines where he deposited the funds per the caller’s instructions. Given the nature of the communication and cryptocurrency transactions the man was advised investigation of the matter would be nearly impossible. (Occurrence number GU26064614)

Arrest in organized cosmetics theft

A Brampton man has been arrested nearly a year after more than $1,000 worth of cosmetics were stolen from a Guelph business.

On October 25, 2025, two men entered a business near Stone Road West and Scottsdale Drive. They attended the cosmetics area, where several gift sets were placed into bags before the two walked out of the store.

Security camera images of the men were distributed to other police agencies and one of the men was identified as part of an organized theft ring active throughout Southern Ontario.

On Tuesday a 52-year-old Brampton man was arrested on the Guelph charges by another police service. He will appear in Guelph court December 15. (Occurrence number GU25071963)

Stunt driver taken off road

A Guelph man was taken off the road after he was caught driving more than twice the speed limit on one of Guelph’s busiest roads Tuesday morning.

Just before 11 a.m. members of the Guelph Police Service Traffic Unit were patrolling on Gordon Street near Clair Road when they observed a Jeep SUV travelling at a high rate of speed and clocked it on radar at 111 km/h in a posted 50 km/h zone.

A 28-year-old Guelph man is charged with speeding and stunt driving. His licence was suspended for 30 days and his vehicle was impounded for 14 days. The man, his passenger and their two dogs left the area on foot.

A stunt driving conviction will attract a minimum licence suspension of one year, a minimum fine of $2,000 and six demerit points. (Occurrence number GU26064505)

Total calls for service in the last 24 hours - 233