Hate-related graffiti under investigation
The Guelph Police Service is investigating two recent incidents in which hate-related graffiti has been spray-painted on buildings. It is possible the incidents are related.
On Saturday afternoon, police were called to Riverside Park after a park user discovered graffiti on a building under construction. Officers located antisemitic graffiti, including a swastika, written in red spray paint. The graffiti was photographed and then quickly removed by City of Guelph officials.
On Monday morning, police were called to a church building on Speedvale Avenue East. Officials with the church had arrived to find graffiti, once again written in red spray paint, on a rear emergency exit. The graffiti was anti-Black in nature and included a racist epithet.
It was photographed by police and then removed by church officials.
The Guelph Police Service will not tolerate acts of hate-motivated crime and will fully investigate any such occurrences. If anyone has information about these incidents they are asked to call hate crimes coordinator Detective Constable Jagdeep Atwal at 519-824-1212, ext. 7436, email him at [email protected], leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
Sports equipment stolen from garage
The Guelph Police Service is investigating after thousands of dollars in sports equipment was stolen from a residential garage.
Police were called Tuesday evening to a residence in the area of Gordon Street and Hands Drive. The homeowner advised he discovered his garage door open Tuesday morning. Baseball equipment, golf clubs and a bicycle with a total value of approximately $4,000 was missing.
Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Special Constable Tom Randell at 519-824-1212, ext. 7194, email him at [email protected], leave an anonymous message for Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous tip online at www.csgw.tips.
Arrest in catalytic converter thefts
A male already in custody for allegedly trying to steal a catalytic converter is facing additional charges related to other incidents.
The 24-year-old Brampton male was arrested October 5 after someone was observed attempting to steal the exhaust component from a vehicle in a driveway on Victoria Road North. Neighbours intervened, during which one neighbour was bit on the arm while detaining the suspect for police. The male’s female accomplice left in a vehicle prior to police arrival.
Subsequent investigation revealed a catalytic converter was stolen from another vehicle and an attempt was made to steal a second one a short time before that at a townhouse complex less than one kilometre away.
As a result the male was arrested Tuesday and further charged with two counts of mischief, theft under $5,000, attempt theft under $5,000 and failing to comply with a release order. He remains in custody and will appear in a Guelph court November 1, 2022.
Total calls for service in the last 24 hours – 234
