NEWS RELEASE
ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE
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ESSA TWP. - On Monday, May 25, 2020, at approximately 8:57 a.m., the Nottawasaga Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a break and enter in progress at a residence in the area of 9th Line and County Road 90, in Essa Township.
The homeowner reported being awakened during the break and enter and that a motor vehicle was stolen from the residence.
A short time later, officers located the accused in the area of Highway 27, south of County Road 90. At that time, the female accused was taken into police custody without incident. The male accused fled on foot, eventually stealing another motor vehicle and travelling into Barrie.
Officers from the Nottawasaga OPP and the Barrie Police Service took the male into police custody in the area of Ferndale Drive and Edgehill Drive. The male was transported to a local area hospital as a precaution.
There is no threat to public safety at this time and both accused are accounted for. Police do not have any reason to believe there are additional suspects outstanding in relation to this incident.
As a result of this investigation, Nottawasaga OPP have charged Edward Harrod, 25-years-old of Barrie, with:
- Break, Enter a dwelling house with intent to commit indictable offence, contrary to sec 348(1)(a) of the Canadian Criminal Code of Canada (CC);
- Operation While Prohibited, contrary to s.320.18 (1) (a) CC;
- Flight from Peace Officer, contrary to s.320.17 CC;
- Assault a Peace Officer, contrary to s.270(1)(a) CC;
- Theft of Motor Vehicle, contrary to s.333.1 CC - three counts;
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000, contrary to s.354(1)(a) CC - three counts;
- Mischief Over $5,000, contrary to s.430(3) CC;
- Failure to comply with release order, contrary to s.145(a) CC;
- Possession of Schedule 1 Substance- Cocaine, contrary to s.4(1) of the Controlled Drug and Substances Act (CDSA);
- Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance- other Drugs, contrary s.4(1) CDSA;
- Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking Opioid (other than heroin), contrary to s.5(2) CDSA;
- Operation while impaired-alcohol and drugs, contrary to s.320.14(1)(a) CC;
- Dangerous operation, contrary to s.320.13(1) CC;
- Escape Lawful Custody, contrary to s.145(1) CC;
- Failure to stop after accident, contrary to s.320.16(1) CC;
- Assault with a weapon, contrary to s.267(a) CC; and
- Mischief, contrary to s.430(1)(d) CC.
In addition, Taylor Petersen, 21-years-old of Barrie has been charged with:
- Possession of Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of Trafficking -other Drugs, contrary to s.5(2) CDSA - two counts;
- Theft of Motor Vehicle, contrary to s.333.1 CC - two counts;
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000, contrary to s.354(1)(a) CC - two counts; and
- Break, Enter a dwelling house with intent to commit indictable offence, contrary to s.348(1)(a) CC.
The accused are being held pending bail hearings.
Anyone with information regarding criminal activity is asked to contact the Nottawasaga OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). When you contact Crime Stoppers you remain anonymous, you will never have to testify and you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000. Nottawasaga OPP is asking that any residents or businesses around the locations indicated that may have security camera footage of this incident to contact us.
Nottawasaga OPP would like to remind community members to call police at 1-888-310-1122 if you see any suspicious persons, vehicle and/or activity. Safe communities are a shared responsibility, and we value community members who came together to assist in the peaceful arrest of these individuals.
"From the initial call for service and front line officers responding, to our policing partners and community members assisting in the apprehension of the accused, it takes a collaborative effort to yield such successful results. We thank everyone for their contribution to public safety. Nottawasaga OPP would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the members of the Barrie Police Service who actively assisted in this investigation."
-Inspector Steve Ridout, Detachment Commander, Nottawasaga OPP
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