Total calls for service – Belleville Police responded to 296 calls for service between 5:00 am on August 21, 2026, to 5:00 am on August 24, 2026.
Assault Peace Officer
On August 21, 2026, at 3:12pm, Belleville Police responded to a business on Front St. regarding a female who had entered the store and began to cause damage by knocking various shelves over. At the request of staff, the female was trespassed from the business.
While doing so, the female became angry and spat directly on the officer’s face. As a result, Sarah Maxwell, 35-years-old of Belleville was arrested and charged with assaulting a Peace Officer. She was later released on an Undertaking with a court date in November.
Two-Vehicle Collision Leads to Impaired Driving Investigation Involving Both Drivers
On August 22, 2026, at approximately 10:43 p.m., members of the Belleville Police Service responded to a two-vehicle collision on Cannifton Road near Adam Street.
The investigation revealed that both vehicles had recently departed a business on Cannifton Road and were travelling northbound when one of the vehicles lost control and collided with the other.
While investigating the collision, officers determined that both drivers had consumed alcohol. One driver registered a “Caution” result on an Approved Screening Device (ASD) and was issued an immediate 7-day driver’s licence suspension.
The second driver registered a “Fail” result on an Approved Screening Device and was subsequently transported to the Belleville Police Service for further testing.
As a result of the investigation, Alexander Rowe-Basque, 29, of Toronto, was charged with:
· Operation While Impaired – Blood Alcohol Concentration 80 plus
· Operation While Impaired – Alcohol and Drugs
In addition to the criminal charges, Rowe-Basque’s driver’s licence was automatically suspended for 90 days.
He was released on an Undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville in October 2026.
Disturbance Investigation Results in Multiple Charges
On August 22, 2026, at approximately 9:44 p.m., Belleville Police responded to a residence in the city’s west end regarding a disturbance.
The investigation revealed that the homeowner had just returned home from work and entered his residence when he was unexpectedly followed inside by a woman unknown to anyone in the home. Once inside, the woman began yelling that she wanted her dog returned to her. The residents advised police they had never met the woman and had no knowledge of her dog.
Police learned that the woman then physically assaulted the homeowner and threatened to kill him before leaving the residence. She subsequently drove a short distance down the street to another residence.
Upon arrival, officers were directed to the residence where the woman had gone. Police identified the woman and advised her that she was under arrest; however, she refused to exit the residence. Officers left the scene and advised that an arrest warrant would be sought.
The following morning, August 23, 2026, at approximately 7:33 a.m., Belleville Police received a 911 call from the same residence where the woman lived. The caller requested police attendance but did not provide any further information.
Recognizing the address from the previous evening’s incident, several officers were dispatched. Upon arrival, an officer was approached by a woman driving a vehicle who asked whom police were looking for. When the officer requested her name, the woman drove away. The officer recognized her as the individual involved in the disturbance the night before.
Responding officers attempted to stop the vehicle; however, the driver failed to stop. To evade police, the woman drove through a ditch, across a residential lawn, and ultimately collided with a marked police cruiser, bringing her vehicle to a stop. She was taken into custody without further incident.
As a result of the investigation, Rebecca Virkutis, 34, of Belleville, was charged with:
· Assault
· Uttering Threats to Cause Death
· Being Unlawfully in a Dwelling House
· Dangerous Operation
Virkutis was released from custody on an Undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville in November 2026.
Refusal to Comply with Demand Results in Criminal Charge
On August 23, 2026, at approximately 2:30 p.m., members of the Belleville Police Service responded to a disturbance at a residence in Thurlow Township.
Prior to officers arriving on scene, the suspect had departed the area in a motor vehicle. Officers located the vehicle a short time later and conducted a traffic stop as part of their investigation.
While speaking with the driver, officers observed signs that led them to believe he had been consuming alcohol and initiated an impaired driving investigation. During the investigation, the driver refused to comply with a lawful demand made by police.
As a result, the driver was arrested and charged.
James O’Brien, 57, of Tweed, has been charged with:
· Refusal to Comply with a Demand
O’Brien was released from custody on a Promise to Appear and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville in October 2026.
Assault with a Weapon and Threats to Harm Animal Charges Following Disturbance
On August 23, 2026, at 9:17 p.m., members of the Belleville Police Service responded to a residence in the city’s east end regarding a disturbance.
The investigation revealed that one of the residents was away from the home with friends when he learned that another resident had kicked his cat and threatened to kill the animal. The cat’s owner immediately returned home, where an argument ensued between the two men.
During the confrontation, one of the residents armed himself with a large kitchen knife and attempted to stab the other man. Several other occupants of the residence intervened and were able to restrain the male until police arrived.
Officers attended the scene and arrested the suspect without incident. The victim sustained minor injuries.
As a result of the investigation, Sukhdeep, 24-years-old, of Belleville, was charged with:
· Assault with a Weapon
· Uttering Threats to Injure or Kill an Animal
Sukhdeep was later released on an Undertaking and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Belleville in November 2026.
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
