Two charged after more than $123,000 in property, drugs and cash seized

(HURON COUNTY & SOUTH BRUCE, ON) - An investigation conducted by the Huron-Perth and Grey-Bruce OPP Community Street Crimes Unit, West Region OPP Emergency Response Team, West Region OPP Bail Support Team, West Region OPP Canine Unit and the Huron County OPP, has resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs, weapons, cash, and stolen property with a total value exceeding $123,000.

An investigation was initiated by members of the Huron County OPP which led investigators to an address on Huron-Bruce Road.

Sept. 10, police attended the rural address and observed a newer model vehicle begin driven immediately into a farmer's field, damaging crops as the driver tried to evade officers. The vehicle was then driven into a tree stump which caused heavy damage to the vehicle.

The driver fled and was apprehended shortly after and arrested. The vehicle was confirmed to be stolen. A search of the path driven by the accused revealed a nine-millimetre (mm) revolver and nine-mm ammunition. A search of the vehicle following the arrest, resulted in officers locating methamphetamine, $1,300 in Canadian currency, a prohibited knife, and a container of exploding rifle mix.



While officers were at the address, they observed a stolen vehicle and arrested a second person on the property. A search warrant was later executed for the property which resulted in the seizure of more weapons, stolen property and other offence-related items. Two individuals have been arrested and charged.

As a result of the investigation, police seized other items, including a stolen enclosed trailer, stolen snowmobile, stolen pick-up truck, crossbows, compound bows and ammunition.

The combined estimated value of the recovered stolen vehicles and property is $117,000.

The combined estimated value of the seized drugs is $500.

The combined estimated value of the seized property, weapons and ammunition is $4,950.

Total Canadian currency seized is $1,300.



Matthew CHARLTON, 40, of South Bruce has been charged with:
 

• Unauthorized possession of a restricted firearm
• Possession of a firearm, prohibited or restricted weapon obtain by crime
• Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Possession of a firearm and ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order - (20 counts)
• Careless storage of firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition
• Possession of a Prohibited Device - (two counts)
• Dangerous Operation
• Driving while Prohibited
• Mischief over $5,000
• Mischief under $5,000
• Fail to Comply with Probation Order - (three counts)
• Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Methamphetamine

The accused was processed and is being held for a bail hearing scheduled at the Goderich Ontario Court of Justice.

Vincent FITZSIMONS, 45, of South Bruce has been charged with:
 

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Altering/Destroying/Removing a vehicle identification number
• Altering/Destroying/Removing a vehicle identification number - (two counts)
• Possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition contrary to Prohibition Order - (three counts)

*THESE CHARGES HAVE YET TO BE PROVEN IN COURT*

Any person with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or 519-482-1677. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a web tip at "P3tips.com" where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.