Members of the Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested and charged a number of individuals in unrelated incidents.
Impaired Operation
On May 26, 2026, shortly before 5:00 p.m., emergency services responded to a report of a single operator of a personal watercraft who had fallen into the water and could not be located on Rice Lake.
Local residents recovered the watercraft and continued efforts to locate the operator, who was later found on land in the Township of Hamilton and transported to a local hospital.
After speaking with the individual, officers initiated an impaired operation investigation, which resulted in the person being taken into custody.
Leesa LAKING (56), from Bewdley, has been charged with:
· Impaired operation – alcohol and drugs
The accused is due to appear before the Ontario Court if Justice in Cobourg in July.
Vehicle Fire Leads to Impaired Charge
On May 29, 2026, at approximately 3:00 a.m., police and fire services responded to a report of a vehicle fire in the area of Runnalls Road and 5th Line in the Municipality of Port Hope.
After speaking with the uninjured driver of the pickup truck, officers initiated an impaired operation investigation. The individual was subsequently taken into custody and transported to a local detachment for further testing.
Philip HALLIGAN (49) from Port Hope has been charged with:
· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg in July.
In addition, a 90-day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension (ADLS) and a seven-day vehicle impound were issued.
Assault
On May 25, 2026, shortly after 8:00 p.m., officers received a complaint regarding a young person causing damage to a residence on County Road 50 in the Municipality of Trent Hills. A chemical irritant spray is believed to have been used during the altercation at the location.
The individual was not present upon police arrival. Officers began an investigation, and a suspect was later identified.
On May 27, 2026, police took one person into custody.
A 16-year-old male, from the Municipality of Trent Hills has been charged with:
· Mischief – obstructs, interrupts or interferes with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property
· Assault with a weapon
The accused is due to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg in July. They shall not be named under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA).
Trent Hills Man Charged with Mischief
On May 28, 2026, at approximately 9:40 p.m., police received a complaint that a person had caused damage to a vehicle outside a residence on Front Street East in the Municipality of Trent Hills.
Officers attended and later located the individual.
Kurtis BRYAN (22) from the Municipality of Trent Hills, was taken into custody and was charged with:
· Mischief – destroys or damages property – two counts
· Causing a disturbance
The accused was held for bail to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg.
Members of Northumberland OPP are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities. If you have information about suspected unlawful activity, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous at 705-745-9000 or www.stopcrimehere.ca.
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
