(TOWN OF WASAGA BEACH, ON) – Members of the Huronia West Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested two individuals in relation to a theft of a motor vehicle.
On January 2, 2025, uniform members of HW responded to the report of an armed robbery of an UBER driver. The driver responded to a request for pick up at the Pizza Pizza in Wasaga Beach. After the picking up the suspect and mobile, the suspect pressed an object against the driver’s head and demanded he pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and get out. After the driver complied, the suspect fled the area in the vehicle alone leaving the driver behind.
Uniformed officers patrolled the area, located the vehicle and an attempt was made to stop the vehicle however, the driver failed to stop. The vehicle was later found abandoned in a parking lot in Collingwood.
The Huronia West Crime Unit, Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE), Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau (OCEB) were able to locate and arrest the two suspects at a residence in Collingwood without incident.
As a result of the investigation, a youth from Wasaga Beach was arrested and charged with:
- YPC Robbery using Firearm
- YPC Possession property obtained by crime over $5000
- YPC Flight from peace officer
- YPC Uttering Threats – Cause death or Bodily Harm
- Failure to attend court while on Release Order
The identity of the youth will be withheld under the provision of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).
Subsequently, Justice McEWEN, 20-year-old from Wasaga Beach, was arrested and charged with:
- Possession property obtained by crime over $5000
- Flight from peace officer
The two accused were held for a bail hearing and scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at a later date.
The Huronia West OPP is committed to serving our province, including the Town of Wasaga Beach and the Townships of Springwater and Clearview. If you have any information about crime in our community, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, and you will remain anonymous. You will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.
The Ontario Provincial Police is committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities.
