Search

FROM/DE: Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment DATE: January 3, 2025

OPP Urge Snowmobilers to Think Safety This Weekend

(MIDLAND,ON) - A few quick pointers on snowmobile safety from the members of the Southern Georgian Bay OPP detachment.

Snowmobiling is a wonderful sport for most family members to enjoy the great outdoors, but sadly we have to attend incidents involving snowmobiles being operated by persons who are suspected of being impaired, or operating carelessly and are tasked with an investigation that will have long lasting effects on all involved, victims and emergency services personnel.

Ride in control and to the trail conditions
Obey the posted speed limit.
Never, ever drive impaired
No Ice is Safe Ice
Snowmobilers planning to head out on the OFSC trail system this weekend to enjoy the recent fresh snowfall would be well advised to check on the following website link to ensure the trail is open for use - Snowmobiling Ontario

It also goes without saying that it is still early in the cold weather winter season for local ice conditions to be up to expectations for ice surface travel by foot or by machine. Always remember that, "No Ice Is Safe Ice" and to check the ice surface or inquire with local residents, ice hut operators, weather stations or any other reliable source before heading out and possibly going through into the frigid waters below. Ultimately, you may be risking your life, the lives of others possibly with you and that of emergency service responders tasked to rescue you, or worse to locate and remove you from the lake.

Commercial shipping is still open on the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay ice surface users in the Midland Bay area can expect a commercial grain ship and possibly a Canadian Coast Guard icebreaking ship early next week.


Although the OPP runs its annual Festive RIDE campaign during the holiday season, RIDE spot checks are conducted throughout the year, 24/7. The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads & trails through enforcement and public education so riders can expect to see OPP officers on the trail system day and night hours. Also, it can be expected that uniform road patrol officers will be conducting Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (R.I.D.E.) programs at trail heads. The Detachment also works with area safety partners such as MADD Canada, Arrive Alive, The North Simcoe Safe and Sober Awareness Committee and area snowmobile clubs, Georgian Bay Snow Riders (GBSR) and the Baxter Snow Riders (BSR) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC).

The sport of snowmobiling has many associated inherent risks, dangers and hazards caused by the changing terrain & environment, your machine, and others on their machines to name a few. To help reduce these risks, riders are reminded to always check the Interactive Trail Guide before heading on the trails and wear all of the required safety equipment including floater suits if travelling on frozen water surfaces. It is highly recommended to have a fully charged cell phone with you, let a family member know where your heading to and a return time, load a location app on your cell phone such as What3Words and/or the Interactive Trail Guide and remember that "No Ice Is Safe Ice" . Self rescue maybe your only way out for reasons depicted in the following link - https://twitter.com/OPP_News/status/1342817627077488641

-30-

Media Officer

Provincial Constable David Hobson

///relations.fatigue.appraise

T-705-733-5440 E- david.hobson@opp.ca

Social Media OPP Central Region Twitter / OPP Central Region Facebook / OPP Central Region Instagram

Learn more about the CAMSafe program and to register security cameras please visit https://camsafe.ca/

"be on the lookout" for the wanted fugitives visit boloprogram.org

FROM/DE: Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment DATE: December 19, 2024

OPP Nab Suspect in Early Morning Downtown Midland Business Break and Enter

(MIDLAND, ON) - Officers from the Southern Georgian Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a burglary alarm within minutes at the Elegant Gourmet business on King Street Midland as it became the victim of a break and enter at approximately 5:33 a.m. December 19, 2024.

Upon arrival of officers, a suspect was located within the business who had lacerated a hand in the process of entering the business. The arrested suspect was triaged at the scene by Simcoe County Paramedic Services and transported to Detachment for processing.

Charged criminally is a 25 year-old male of no fixed address Orillia with the following offences.

Break, Enter a place - with intent to commit indictable offence
Possession Break In Instruments
Theft Under $5000
Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000
The accused was released from custody to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on January 30, 2025

Anyone having knowledge of drug or property related investigations is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, opp.southern.georgian.bay@opp.ca or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).You can submit your information online at https://www.crimestopperssdm.com/ Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00.

Incident # E241665192

FROM/DE: Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment DATE: December 19, 2024

OPP Officer Makes Shoplifting While Investigating Another in Midland LCBO

(MIDLAND,ON) - An officer from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment while investigating a previously reported shoplifting incident at the Midland LCBO made an arrest after a patron left the store with unpaid for liquor.

The officer arrested and recovered a number of bottles of unpaid for liquor from a 42 year old male of Midland at 1:33 p.m. December 19, 2024.

The accused was held for bail court on the following charges of

Theft Under $5000- SHOPLIFTING
Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 - in Canada


and will appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.

Anyone having knowledge of drug or property related investigations is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, opp.southern.georgian.bay@opp.ca or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).You can submit your information online at https://www.crimestopperssdm.com/ Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00.

Incident # E241666910

FROM/DE: Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment DATE: December 19, 2024

OPP Seeking Assistance in Solving Midland Retail Shoplifting Investigation

(MIDLAND,ON) - A shoplifting complaint reported to the OPP Communication Centre at 8:48 p.m. December 6, 2024, by security at the Midland Sport Chek store resulted in officers from the Southern Georgian Bay OPP Detachment attending the Mountainview Mall retail store to investigate.

The investigating officer is asking for assistance identifying the female in the supplied security photograph who unlawfully removed from the store a quantity of Sport Chek clothing valued at over $800.

Anyone having knowledge of this or other property related investigations is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122, opp.southern.georgian.bay@opp.ca or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).You can submit your information online at https://www.crimestopperssdm.com/ Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00.

OPP Incident # E241614025

FROM: Cyber-Enabled Fraud Team DATE: December 19, 2024

Project Atlas Stops $70M in Crypto Fraud, Freezes Millions in Stolen Funds

OPP disrupts global cryptocurrency scams, identifies thousands of victims worldwide

(OTTAWA, ON) - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Cyber-Enabled Fraud Team (CEFT) and its partners, through Project Atlas, have prevented more than $70 million in cryptocurrency from being stolen by cybercriminals and frozen over $24 million in fraudulent losses. Working with law enforcement partners around the globe, investigators have identified over 2,000 cryptocurrency wallet addresses linked to fraud victims across 14 countries, including Canada, the United States, Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Project Atlas was a victim-centered initiative focused on disrupting organized cryptocurrency fraud schemes and raising public awareness about cryptocurrency investment scams. The OPP thanks its partners for their critical support, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC), National Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (NC3), United States Secret Service (USSS), Ottawa Police Service (OPS), Sureté du Québec (SQ), Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) and private-sector collaborators such as Chainalysis, Ndax, Shakepay and Coinbase.

QUOTES:
"Cryptocurrency investment frauds continue to devastate victims in Ontario and around the world, with these crimes becoming more sophisticated each year. Those engaged in fraudulent activities use manipulative social media ads, professional-looking websites, social engineering and increasingly complex technology to deceive their targets. I am proud of Project Atlas as an OPP-led, proactive, victim-centered approach to fighting cybercrime. I urge everyone to learn about cryptocurrency investment frauds and share this knowledge with loved ones to help protect them. Together, we can reduce the impact of these crimes on our communities."
Mike Bickerton, Detective Superintendent, Director of Financial Crime Services, Anti-Rackets Branch, Cyber-Enabled Fraud Team (CEFT) & Serious Fraud Office, Ontario Provincial Police

Members of the public are encouraged to visit opp.ca/Atlas to learn more about cryptocurrency investment frauds and how to prevent becoming a victim.
Remember: If you have been a victim of fraud or suspect fraudulent activity, immediately report it to your local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501, or online via the Fraud Reporting System.

-30-

Contact:
Detective Constable John Armit
OPP Anti-Rackets Branch
John.armit@opp.ca
Ph: 613-299-8543
opp.ca
Facebook/Instagram: @ontarioprovincialpolice
X: OPP_News