Category: Portland

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OPP Police Press Releases Portland

George WICKS Was Arrested

(PORTLAND, ON) – Members of the Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have laid numerous charges against a driver following an investigation into a rear-end collision.

On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Leeds OPP received reports of a collision, where one driver was said to have departed the scene. The driver who remained at scene did not report any injuries.

The vehicle that had fled was located nearby. The driver was identified and arrested after providing a breath sample of more than double the prescribed limit.

As a result of the investigation, 61 year-old George WICKS of Elgin was charged with:

  • Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
  • Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration
  • Dangerous operation
  • Failing to remain at the scene of a collision

If you have any witness information to provide, such as dashcam footage or home security footage, contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave your tip online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

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OPP Police Press Releases Portland

Fatal Collision

(PORTLAND, ON) – The Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) continues to investigate a single vehicle collision where the driver was found deceased and the passenger was found with non-life-threatening injuries.

On September 1, 2024, just after 3:00 a.m., members of the Leeds OPP received reports of a vehicle in the ditch on Country Road 8, a few kilometres east of Highway 15.

The driver was a 19 year-old man from Mallorytown and the passenger was a 17 year-old man from Brockville.

The cause of the collision is still undetermined. Leeds OPP is being assisted by the OPP Collision Reconstructionists, the Technical Traffic Collision Investigators (TTCI), the Office of the Chief Coroner, and the Office of Forensic Pathology.

County Road 8 remains closed between Harlem Road and Hughs Road, and will be re-opened once the on-scene investigation completes.

If you witnessed the collision, or have relevant dashcam video, contact the Leeds County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave your tip online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca. 

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OPP Police Press Releases Portland

Repeat Offenders Arrested Again – Names Released

(PORTLAND, ON) – The Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged two individuals with dozens of charges as a result of a RIDE (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) program.

On August 14, 2024, at 3:30 p.m., Leeds County OPP officers were conducting a RIDE program near Highway 15 and County Road 5, when a vehicle was observed conducting a U-turn as it approached the officers. The vehicle was subsequently stopped. The driver was arrested when it was determined he was prohibited from driving as a result of previous convictions.

Officers observed what appeared to be drugs and drug paraphernalia in the car; the passenger was also arrested.

Officers seized from the vehicle the following:

  • Over 200 grams of suspected cannabis
  • Over 30 tablets of suspected codeine
  • Half a gram of suspected crack cocaine
  • Over 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine
  • Over 50 capsules and tablets of suspected narcotics
  • Four packs of contraband cigarettes
  • Three smartphones

Matthew BAER, age 60, and Rhawnie CARRUTHERS, age 44, both of Rideau Lakes Township, were charged with the following:

  • Possession of a Schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking – four counts, Controlled Drug and Substances Act
  • Possession of over 30g dried cannabis in a public place, Cannabis Act
  • Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court, Criminal Code

BAER was also charged with the following:

  • Fail to stop on right for emergency vehicle, Highway Traffic Act
  • Operate unsafe vehicle, Highway Traffic Act
  • Permit use of plate not in accordance with Act, Highway Traffic Act
  • Possess unmarked fine cut tobacco, Tobacco Tax Act
  • Operate a motor vehicle without insurance, Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act
  • Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code, Criminal Code
  • Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court (second count), Criminal Code

CARRUTHERS was also charged with the following:

  • Obstruct peace officer, Criminal Code
  • Fail to comply with probation order, Criminal Code

Both accused were remanded into custody following a bail hearing before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville. 

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OPP Police Press Releases Portland

Fatal Structure Fire

(PORTLAND, ON) – TheLeeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating the death of cyclist on the shoulder of a County Road.

On June 8, 2024, shortly after 10:00 a.m., members of the OPP were dispatched to County Road 42, near Settlement Road, after several concerned citizens came to the aid of the 71 year-old from Ottawa, who appeared to have fallen off their bicycle.

Leeds OPP have ruled out a collision. It was determined the person was projected over the front of their bicycle after a foreign object entered the front wheel and brought the bicycle to an abrupt stop.

The Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service have since taken charge of the investigation.

The roadway had closed during the investigation, but has since re-opened.

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Portland

Cyclist Killed

(PORTLAND, ON) – TheLeeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating the death of cyclist on the shoulder of a County Road.

On June 8, 2024, shortly after 10:00 a.m., members of the OPP were dispatched to County Road 42, near Settlement Road, after several concerned citizens came to the aid of the 71 year-old from Ottawa, who appeared to have fallen off their bicycle.

Leeds OPP have ruled out a collision. It was determined the person was projected over the front of their bicycle after a foreign object entered the front wheel and brought the bicycle to an abrupt stop.

The Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service have since taken charge of the investigation.

The roadway had closed during the investigation, but has since re-opened.

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