Police beat: Bolton man facing fraud charges after stone taken from quarry

WELLINGTON NORTH – A Bolton man has been charged with fraud after a local quarry owner was bilked out of $40,000 worth of material over two years.

Wellington County OPP officials say police were informed about a potential fraud “at a quarry business in Wellington North” on June 21, 2024.

“The accused entered into an agreement with the business to excavate and sell materials from the property. In return, the business would receive royalties,” police stated in a Nov. 6 press release.

“However, throughout 2023 and 2024, it is alleged that several truckloads of material were unaccounted for, and the corresponding royalties were not received. The business has lost more than $40,000.”

Larry Pevato, 64, of Bolton, was charged with two counts of fraud (over $5,000). He is to appear in Guelph court on Nov. 28.

Police officer assaulted

FERGUS – A local resident is facing five charges, including uttering threats and assaulting a police officer after an incident here last week.

Police responded to a mischief call at a home on Belysde Avenue in Fergus on Nov. 3 at about 1:45pm.

“As the accused was being taken into custody, they became combative with police,” stated a Nov. press release from the Wellington County OPP.

A 35-year-old from Fergus was charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, failure to comply with an undertaking, assaulting a peace officer and two counts of mischief.

The accused, whose name police say is “being withheld out of concern for their well being,” is to appear in court at a later date.

Pedestrian hit by truck

ELORA – A Mount Forest man has been charged after a pedestrian was hit by a vehicle here last week.

Emergency crews responded to a collision involving a pedestrian and a pickup truck in a parking lot on Margaret Street in Elora on Nov. 4 at about 2:15pm.

“The victim was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries,” police stated in a Nov. 5 press release.

A 22-year-old man from Mount Forest was charged with careless driving and is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Resident loses $5,000 in grandparent scam

ROCKWOOD – Yet another county resident has fallen victim to a scam, this one the “grandparent variety.”

Wellington County OPP officials say police responded to a Rockwood home on Nov. 5 after a resident was contacted by “an unknown suspect ... suggesting their son was arrested and required $5,000 in bail money.

“The suspect later attended the victim’s home and collected the money. Shortly after, the victim learned his son was not actually arrested, realized it was a scam and contacted police.”

The OPP is appealing to the public for assistance to identifying the suspect: a brown middle-aged man  with a heavy build and  facial hair, wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants, who identified himself as “Najib.”

The vehicle is described as a white Toyota sedan with tinted windows.

‘Careless’ drivers

WELLINGTON COUNTY– Local police continued to lay careless driving charges throughout the county recently.

Among those charged were:

– a 27-year-old from Port Elgin, on Nov. 7 on Wellington Road 7 in Centre Wellington;

– a 24-year-old from Woodbridge, on Nov. 7 on Wellington Road 124 in Guelph/Eramosa;

– a 26-year-old from Palmerston, on Nov. 7 on Wellington Road 123 in Minto; and

– a 27-year-old from Cambridge, on Nov. 8 on Wellington Road 34 in Puslinch.

The accused individuals are to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

Commercial vehicle charges

FERGUS – A Mississauga resident and a related business are facing numerous charges after a traffic stop here last week.

Wellington County OPP officials say officers were monitoring traffic on Beatty Line North in Fergus when they pulled over a commercial vehicle at about 12pm on Oct. 28.

A 38-year-old from Mississauga was charged with seven offences, including driving a commercial vehicle with a major defect  and several overweight vehicle infractions.

An associated business was charged with failing to ensure performance standards are met and failing to ensure daily inspections are conducted properly.

Partner violence

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Local police continue to lay intimate partner violence charges across the county.

Those arrested include a 44-year-old from Guelph/Eramosa, who was charged with assault with a weapon (spousal) in relation to an incident in Guelph/Eramosa on Nov. 7.

The accused is to appear in Guelph court at a later date.

OPP offering fraud prevention sessions

ABOYNE – Local police are hosting two information sessions on fraud prevention next week.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to taking a proactive stance against fraud by equipping community members and local businesses with the knowledge they need to stay safe,” police stated in a Nov. 4 press release.

“Attendees will learn about common scams, emerging fraud trends and practical strategies to protect themselves and their families.”

Police say the free sessions will feature “experienced OPP officers and detectives across multiple units.”

The first session, focusing on business and retail fraud, is Nov. 19 from 12 to 2pm in the boardroom of the Centre Wellington OPP detachment in Aboyne.

The second session, focusing on cryptocurrency fraud, is Nov. 20 from 5 to 7pm in the boardroom of the Centre Wellington OPP detachment in Aboyne.

To attend either event, RSVP by contacting Carly McKeown at carly.mckeown@opp.ca.

Police say they can also provide fraud presentations for local community groups, businesses and organizations.

To set one up contact McKeown at the aforementioned email or call 519-846-5930.

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Anyone with information about any of the above incidents can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at csgw.tips. Tip providers may be eligible for a cash reward.