Members of the Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a number of incidents and laid multiple charges in recent occurrences.
Collision
On June 13, 2026, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and police responded to a report of a single-vehicle motorcycle collision at County Road 18 and Roseneath Landing Road in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand.
Emergency crews arrived to find a motorcycle that had left the roadway. The operator was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Investigation revealed the individual was prohibited from driving.
Connor LEHTINEN (26) from the Township of Hamilton, has been charged with:
· Operation while prohibited
· Careless driving
· Fail to wear proper helmet on motorcycle
· Owner operate a motor vehicle without insurance
· Fail to apply for permit on becoming owner
· Drive motor vehicle, no plates
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg in September. The vehicle was impounded for 45 days.
Impaired Operation
On June 19, 2026, at approximately 7:00 p.m., officers responded to a traffic complaint regarding a pickup truck unable to maintain its lane while travelling westbound on Highway 401 in the Township of Hamilton.
Police located the vehicle on a commercial property off County Road 28 in the Municipality of Port Hope.
After speaking with the driver, officers initiated an impaired operation investigation. The individual was arrested and transported for further testing, where they registered a blood alcohol concentration more than three times the legal limit. Additional offences were identified during the investigation.
Ali RAFIAIE (48) from Ottawa, has been charged with:
· Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
· Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
· Operation while prohibited
· Careless driving
· Fail to surrender insurance card
· Fail to surrender permit for motor vehicle
· Having care or control of a motor vehicle with liquor readily available
· Drive motor vehicle – not equipped with ignition interlock device
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 45-day vehicle impound were imposed.
Public Intoxication
On June 20, 2026, shortly before 9:00 a.m., police received a report concerning the well-being of a pedestrian on Pipeline Road in the Township of Cramahe.
Officers located the individual and took them into custody.
A 27-year-old female from Oshawa was charged with:
· Being intoxicated in a public place
Theft Investigations
On February 24, 2026, police received a report of a theft from a commercial property on Lonsberry Road in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand. Two individuals entered the store and stole items valued at approximately $530.
As a result of the investigation, warrants were issued.
On June 24, 2026, one individual was arrested.
Elyse WALSH (44) from Oshawa, has been charged with:
· Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting
The accused is due to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg in August.
This investigation remains ongoing and updates will be provided as they become available.
On February 17, 2026, police received a report of a theft from a business on Front Street North in the Municipality of Trent Hills.
The individual was identified and arrested on June 24, 2026.
Mitchell BELL (28) from Asphodel-Norwood Township, has been charged with:
· Theft under $5,000 – shoplifting
The accused is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg in July.
Fire Incidents
On June 17, 2026, at approximately 4:20 p.m., OPP attended a structure fire on Raglan Street in the Municipality of Brighton. Officers assisted with traffic control while the fire department extinguished the blaze.
No injuries were reported, and the fire is not considered suspicious at this time.
On June 23, 2026, at approximately 1:45 p.m., police responded to a vehicle fire on Highway 401 eastbound in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand.
Fire crews attended to a tractor trailer after hay bales in the trailer caught fire, posing a risk to passing traffic.
As a result, the off-ramp at Lyle Street North was closed, traffic was reduced to one lane causing significant delays, and the highway was later closed at Division Street in Cobourg.
No injuries were reported. The trailer was removed once it was safe to do so.
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
