(NORTHUMBERLAND, ON) The Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has arrested and charged two individuals following an incident involving theft of firearms.
On November 23, 2024, police responded to a report regarding the theft of a number of firearms from an address in the Township of Hamilton. The complainant believed the weapons to have been stolen in the previous two weeks. The majority of the firearms were recovered however among the unaccounted firearms, were shotguns and rifles.
OPP began an investigation and on November 24, 2024, officers made an arrest in relation to the incident of theft.
Andrew DRYSDALE, 32-years-old, from Hamilton Township, has been charged with:
Unauthorized possession of a firearm 14 counts
Possession of a weapon obtained by crime 14 counts
Possession for the purpose of weapons trafficking
Transfer a firearm without authority
Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
Theft over $5,000
On November 24, 2024, at around 11:00 p.m., officers assisted by the Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU), Emergency Response Team (ERT) and the Tactics and Rescue Unit (TRU), executed a search warrant at a location on John Street in the Town of Cobourg.
Among the items seized, were rifles, shotguns, ammunition, a cellphone and approximately 17 grams of suspected Fentanyl with a street value of around $3,000.
As a result of the search, one individual was arrested and taken into custody.
Benjamin STAPLES, 46-years-old, has been charged with:
Unauthorized possession of a firearm 14 counts
Possession of a weapon obtained by crime 14 counts
Possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order
Knowledge of unauthorised possession of a firearm
Transfer firearm without authority
Breach of firearms regulation store firearm or restricted weapon
Traffick in Schedule I Substance Fentanyl.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information regarding this or any incident is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.stopcrimehere.ca.
The Ontario Provincial Police is committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities.