Cobourg Police Chief says it’s only a matter of time before Gerald Cooper is back in custody.
Cooper is wanted on a Canada wide warrant stemming from a parole violation.
Cooper is believed to have been in a vehicle that was pulled over on County Road 45 on July 5, 2022.
Cooper was identified by the officer as being wanted, but before the officer could arrest Cooper, the driver sped off, dragging the officer a short distance.
It’s believe Cooper exited the vehicle a short distance away, just over the Highway 401 bridge on County Road 45.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested a short time later and is currently facing charges associated with dragging the police officer.
Members of Northumberland OPP, Emergency Response Team and OPP canine unit searched the area extensively, but failed to locate Cooper.
The Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (R.O.P.E.) Squad issued a release on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 requesting the public’s assistance in locating Cooper who is wanted on a Canada Wide Warrant as a result of his breach of Statutory Release.
Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf said on Thursday that local police are working very closely with Ontario Provincial Police and members of the ROPE unit.
“We all agree this is a high priority case,” VandeGraaf said speaking to Today’s Northumberland.
“It’s just a matter of time before we find Mr. Cooper and bring him back to face the music.”
“It’s important to be honest to the justice system that when individuals are given the opportunity for parole, they live by those conditions. And we have to be honest and respectful of the victims to that crime who are now maybe at unease in relation to this parole violation.”
He is currently serving a six (6) year sentence for: Break and Enter, Mischief Over $5000, Theft Over $5000 and Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.
VandeGraaf said officers have daily contact with the R.O.P.E. unit and officers are making it a priority that Cooper is back in custody as soon as possible.
“He will be arrested and he will be returned to a custodial facility and I can again put rest to those victims that are adversely affected by this.”
The offender is known to frequent areas in Belleville, Peterborough, Quinte West, Brighton, Cobourg and Durham Region.
Cooper is described as a Caucasion male, 52 years of age, 5’6″ (168cm), 170 lbs (77 kgs) with brown hair and brown eyes.
“We really need the communities help on this.”
Anyone having contact with this offender or information in regards to their whereabouts is asked to contact the Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad at 416-808-5900 or toll free at 1-866-870-7673 (ROPE) or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or call 9-1-1.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
