(MIDDLESEX, ON) – On Tuesday August 18, 2020 at 08:07 a.m. an alert citizen contacted the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to advise that he observed two males entering multiple vehicles and a sea container on a property located on Dundas St. in the Municipality of Thames Centre. The males were also observed throwing items at passing motor vehicles causing a traffic hazard, before they fled the scene in a suspicious SUV.
Members of the Middlesex OPP responded to the area where the vehicle was later located at a gas station in Thamesford. One male was taken into custody at the scene and a second fled the area on foot. The second male was taken into custody by police a short time later.
As a result of an investigation police have charged Jeffrey AVERILL – age 44- of London, ON with:
Break, Enter a place – with intent to commit indictable offence as per section 348(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (CC)
Possession Break In Instruments as per section 351(1) of the CC
Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court as per section 145(5)(a) of the CC
Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid (other than heroin) as per section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
Permit use of plate not authorized for vehicle as per section 12(1)(d) of the Highway Traffic Act (HTA)
Fail to apply for permit on becoming owner as per section 11(2) of the HTA
Permit operation of unsafe vehicle as per section 84 of the HTA
CAIA 2(1)(b) Permit motor vehicle to be operated without insurance as per section 2(1)(b) of the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act (CAIA)
Police have also charged Wade BOUDREAU – age 44- of London ON with:
Break, Enter a place – with intent to commit indictable offence as per section 348(1)(a) of the Criminal Code (CC)
Possession Break In Instruments as per section 351(1) of the CC
Failure to comply with release order – other than to attend court as per section 145(5)(a) of the CC
Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Opioid (other than heroin) as per section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act (CDSA)
Driving while under suspension as per section 53 of the HTA
Use plate not authorized for vehicle as per section 12(1)(d) of the HTA
Operate unsafe vehicle as per section 84 of the HTA
Both parties have been released from police custody and are scheduled to appear in the London, Ontario Court of Justice to speak to the charges, on October 30, 2020.
Police want to remind the public that thief’s are always looking for an easy target.
Along with securing your property, always make sure to:
Record the make, model and serial numbers of your items in case they are stolen.
If you are a victim of a theft, report it to the police and provide the serial numbers, this information can be helpful in locating or recovering the property.
If there is no serial number, creating unique marks or engravings on the item can be helpful when identifying your property.
Use motion detectors, lights and vehicle alarms, which can be a deterrent to those responsible for committing thefts of vehicles or thefts from vehicles.
Conduct a walk around of your property to ensure that all exterior lighting is working property. If it is broken make the necessary repairs.
Complete repairs to damaged property including windows and fences. Show that you have pride in your property and care what happens to it.
If you have a home security system, always use it. Contact your system provider to ensure that all emergency contacts are up to date with current phone numbers and dependable people who will respond when called.
Be a good neighbour, share information and look out for each other’s property.
Be sure to report any suspicious activity or incidents to police immediately. Your information may help to interrupt a potential crime, help to identify a crime trend, suspect, or prevent further crimes.
The Middlesex OPP takes pride in policing within our community and looks forward to working with members of the public, community groups and local stake holders to shut out crime! The Middlesex OPP is also proud to have created the Suspicious Person Pamphlet. This document provides you with key information of how to keep not only yourself but your property safe. The brochure is available at any of our four Middlesex OPP detachments. A copy of this document has also been added as an attachment to this release, for your convenience.
Further information and tips can be located at www.opp.ca under the Crime Prevention Section.
The Middlesex OPP wants to remind the public that if you see anything suspicious you should contact the Ontario Provincial Police or your nearest police authority. The OPP can be reached anytime, anywhere in the Province of Ontario at 1-888-310-1122. If you wish to remain anonymous you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) where you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2000.