Justice of the Peace Failed Our Community States Cobourg Police Chief

Pete Fisher
4 years ago
• Categories: Crime, Editor Choice, Local, Police Blotter

Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf is livid that a person who was under house arrest for allegedly committing numerous gunpoint robberies was once again released from custody after being arrested and charged with numerous drug offences last week in Cobourg.

“In my opinion, the partner in this system (Justice of the Peace) let us down. They let the men and women in this service down and they let the community down.”

“Dumbfounded” is the only word that Chief VandeGraaf could think of in a video interview with Today’s Northumberland on Monday, May 17, 2021 outside the Cobourg Police Station.

VandeGraaf is never at a loss for words, but it was obvious he was having a tough time coming up with words to convey his frustration.

Cobourg Police are doing their best to get illegal drugs off the street and in early May commenced an investigation into activity in the area of 351 John Street in Cobourg.

On Thursday, May 13, 2021, police arrested 22-year-old Prince Owusu of Bramption and charged him with several offences including:
· Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance – oxycodone – contrary to section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act
· Possession of a Schedule 1 Substance – amphetamine – contrary to section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs
and Substances Act
· Obstruct Peace Officer, contrary to section 129(a) of the Criminal Code
· Personation with intent to avoid arrest, prosecution or obstruct justice (Identity fraud), contrary to section CC 403(1)(d) of the Criminal Code
· Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000, contrary to section 354(1)(a) of the
Criminal Code
· Fail to Comply with Recognizance, contrary to section 145(3) of the Criminal Code.

Owusu was held for a bail hearing on Thursday.

At the time of his arrest in Cobourg, Owusu was on house arrest with strict conditions after being charged along with two other men regarding 13 separate incidents of gunpoint robberies of taxi drivers between August 26 and September 15, 2018 in the Toronto area.

To the surprise and shock of VandeGraaf, Owusu was released to the surety that supported him for the 13 armed robbery charges.

VandeGraaf said the address on John Street, “has been a thorn in our side.”

Police have attended the residence on numerous occasions and on Thursday another arrest was made at the residence.

VandeGraaf said police “spent extensive time” investigating and officers arrested the suspect.

“This individual came from the Toronto area to our community for the sole purpose of (allegedly) dealing in illegal narcotics.”

“This person was on house arrest conditions for violent crimes in Toronto.”

“So he’s released on the very strict conditions that basically say you’re not to be away from home without a surety.”

The surety put up $28,000 that the accused would abide by the conditions stating from the Toronto armed robbery charges.

“This person comes to Cobourg in the middle of the night. He lies to the police, he offers a false name.

Police are able to identify him and he goes before a Justice of the Peace for a bail hearing.

“Then when they get to a bail hearing the Justice of the Peace sees fit to release this person to the same surety who was unable to keep the (suspect) in a house arrest condition with a $3,000 no deposit.”

VandeGraaf said as far as he’s aware there has been no effort to collect the $28,000 that was promised by the surety that Owusu would abide by his release conditions in Toronto.

“Here is a person who has willingly chosen to drive to another community, to prey upon the vulnerable people in our community who are suffering addictions. By bringing in illegal drugs that are lethal. This is the fight that police services have in Ontario.”

VandeGraaf said he credits the hard work done by his officers in charging people and bringing them before the courts, but if people like this aren’t held accountable, “why do we have bail court?”

When Bill C-75 was released in 2019 it dealt with how suspects should be treated in the court system with the ladder approach. Meaning starting at the bottom and giving individuals every chance to avoid incarceration.

“We are at the top rung of the ladder. He had already been released in front of the Justice of the Peace with surety with non-cash deposit penalty. The next rung of the ladder was detention. And our Justice of the Peace decided to release him yet again.”

“The system isn’t addressing these very severe cases effectively.”

VandeGraaf adds, there is nothing really that needs to change other than enforce the rules that are in place.
“Take the rules you created and follow them.”

“In my opinion the bail system in this incident did not fulfill its obligation to the team.”