Two Barrie men face 58 charges after OPP officer hit by vehicle

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The Orillia detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police have charged two Barrie men following an incident where an officer was struck by a vehicle.

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Authorities say on March 30 about 7:37 a.m., Orillia OPP officers responded to a complaint at Ridge Rd. W. and Black Forest Ln. in Oro-Medonte that a driver was asleep and slumped over the steering wheel of a parked vehicle with its engine running.

When one officer opened the vehicle door to check on the driver, he woke up and allegedly became combative, shifting the vehicle into reverse and striking the officer with the vehicle in an attempt to flee.

Police say other officers arrived to assist and the vehicle was stopped by a cruiser by making contact with it.

Authorities say the driver did not comply with demands to exit the vehicle and had to be removed by officers and was arrested along with a man who was a passenger in the vehicle.

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The officer struck by the vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Police allegedly seized a 9mm handgun and ammunition, a knife, fentanyl and $3965 in cash.

Both men charged were on probation at the time of the incident and prohibited from having weapons. The driver was also prohibited from driving.

Gary Hirsch, 32, is charged with 32 offences and Ashley McLinden, 33, is charged with 26 offences.

GUNSHOTS FIRED AT VEHICLE IN MARKHAM

York Regional Police are seeking suspects and appealing for witnesses after a May 19 shooting at a Markham home.

Authorities say video surveillance shows the suspect vehicle, described as a Jeep with a soft top, parked in front of the residence on Houser St., in the area of Mingay and Castlemore Aves., around 11:08 p.m.

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Police say as the victim exited their residence and entered their vehicle on the driveway, a shooter exited the Jeep’s front passenger seat and fired multiple rounds in the direction of the victim’s vehicle before getting back into the Jeep and fleeing the scene.

No injuries were reported.

Investigators are looking for any video from the area that has not already been provided and asking any witnesses that have not already spoken to police to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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FIVE BANDITS SOUGHT FOR NORTH YORK JEWELRY STORE HEIST

The hunt is on for five bandits sought for a gunpoint robbery at a jewelry story in North York two weeks ago.

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Toronto Police say five accomplices travelled together in a vehicle to a mall near Sheppard Ave. E. and Don Mills Rd. shortly after 2 p.m. on May 16.

Four of the crooks entered the mall, one of them then approached a jewelry store and knocked on the door, police said.

When a store employee opened the door, cops said one of the other accomplices approached with a firearm, assaulted the employee, entered the store and took a quantity of jewelry before exiting.

Police say the four bandits ran back to the vehicle and fled the area.

One robber is described as male with a medium build and short brown hair. He was wearing a black button-up shirt, beige pants, and black shoes.

A second crook is described as male with a thin build and a tattoo on his right hand wearing a black sweater, black ripped jeans, black shoes, and a black baseball hat.

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No descriptions have been released of the other three bandits.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-2510 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

MAN, 27, ACCUSED OF SEX ASSAULT IN HAMILTON

A 27-year-old man faces charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a female at a Hamilton residence on May 9.

Hamilton Police say a male entered the residence in the Twenty Place community, located near Twenty Rd. and Upper James St., around 11 p.m.

He allegedly assaulted a female and then took off out the front door.

A suspect was subsequently identified and has since been arrested.

Nelson Melo, of Hamilton, is charged with sexual assault, breaking-and-entering, and uttering a threat.

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Anyone with information is asked to call the Sex Crimes Unit at 905-546-8958 or the Sex Crimes Unit non-emergency line at 905-540-5553.

COMMERCIAL PICKUP TRUCK KILLS PEDESTRIAN IN SCARBOROUGH

A 37-year-old man was struck and killed by a commercial vehicle in Scarborough on Thursday.

Toronto Police a 2022 Ford commercial pick-up truck was reversing southbound on St. Dunstan Rd. near Danforth Ave. – west of Pharmacy Ave. – when it backed into a pedestrian who was crossing mid-block around 1:45 p.m.

The pedestrian was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and the driver of the pick-up truck remained on scene.

The victim’s name was not immediately released.

The investigation is ongoing.

Police are asking residents, businesses, and drivers who may have security or dash camera footage of the area or incident to contact investigators.

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Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-1900 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

WOMAN, 66, HIT BY CAR IN NORTH YORK

Toronto Police are asking local residents, businesses, and drivers, who may have security or dash camera footage of the area or incident, to contact investigators following a personal injury collision in North York.

Cops say on May 29, around 6:47 p.m., they responded to a collision in the area of Sheppard Ave. W. and Yeomans Rd.

It’s reported a 66-year-old man was driving a 2012 Buick Lacrosse north on Yeomans Rd. approaching Sheppard Ave. W. when he struck a 66-year-old woman crossing the road at Sheppard Avenue West.

The pedestrian, who was struck while the Buick was making a left turn to go westbound, was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries

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The investigation is ongoing.

HUGE INCREASE IN ATV DEATHS IN ONTARIO

Ahead of its All Terrain Vehicle Safety Awareness Week campaign, Ontario Provincial Police are reporting a 125% increase in ATV fatalities in 2024 compared to this time last year, with more than half of the deceased found without a helmet.

Nine people (eight drivers, one passenger) have died in OPP-investigated ATV incidents this year, compared to three drivers and one passenger at this time last year.

With one-third of this year’s fatalities involving alcohol and/or drugs, police say some ATV riders ignore the significant risks these (and other poor riding behaviour) pose.

The OPP and its valued partner, the Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicle Clubs (OFATV), are urging all ATV riders, regardless of riding experience or skill level, to wear a properly fitted off-road vehicle helmet during every ride.

ATV enthusiasts are also reminded to always ride sober/drug-free, maintain control of their vehicle, and take an ATV driving course.

Parents and guardians of youths who are interested in taking up ATV riding are encouraged to enroll them in Ontario’s Youth ATV Rider Training Program.

ATV Safety Awareness Week runs from May 31-June 9.

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