By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
Chatham-Kent police responded to a series of incidents in early April involving impaired driving, domestic disputes, public mischief and assaults. Several individuals from Chatham, Tilbury, Wallaceburg and Blenheim were arrested and charged in separate cases. Some remain in custody pending bail hearings, while others have been released with future court dates.
Man arrested twice in one day
A 44-year-old Chatham man was arrested twice on April 10 following two separate incidents involving suspected drug impairment and attempted theft, according to Chatham-Kent police.
The first incident occurred around 12:05 p.m., when officers were called for a wellness check after an unconscious man was found inside a vehicle parked at a local business in Chatham. Police located the man in the driver’s seat. After multiple attempts, they woke him and directed him out of the vehicle. Officers noted signs of impairment and discovered drug paraphernalia in the car.
The man was taken to hospital for evaluation by a drug recognition expert, who determined he was impaired by a central nervous system stimulant and a narcotic analgesic. He was arrested and charged, then released with a court date set for April 28.
Later that day, around 3:56 p.m., police responded to a theft complaint at a building on Grand Avenue West. A man was reportedly seen attempting to steal items from a basement hallway. When confronted by security personnel, the suspect allegedly refused to cooperate and attempted to flee. Police say a brief physical altercation occurred, during which the suspect struck one of the complainants.
Officers identified the man as the same individual arrested earlier in the day and took him into custody again. He was transported to Chatham-Kent Police Service headquarters, where he remains in custody pending a bail hearing.
Two people charged after domestic disturbance
A 78-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman have been charged following a domestic-related incident in Wallaceburg. Police were called to a residence in the northeast area of the community, where they found a 73-year-old woman outside the home. A man and another woman were located inside. Police say a verbal argument stemming from a relationship breakdown escalated into a physical altercation. Both the man and woman were arrested. The 61-year-old woman was released with a court date set for May 5. The 78-year-old man was also released with a court date scheduled for May 12 but is currently being held for bail.
Man charged after domestic dispute
A 38-year-old Chatham man is facing multiple charges after a domestic dispute involving a former partner escalated into a physical altercation and threats.
Police were called to a residence in Chatham. Upon arrival, officers learned the incident involved a man and a 36-year-old woman, both from Chatham, who had previously been in a relationship.
Investigators say the man was bound by court-ordered conditions from a prior incident, including a no-contact order and restrictions from attending locations where the victim was known to be, such as her home, workplace and school.
Despite these conditions, police say the man went to the woman’s residence, where a verbal dispute escalated into a physical confrontation and threatening statements were made. He fled the scene before officers arrived but was later located and arrested. The man was in breach of his court-ordered conditions. He has been charged and remains in custody pending a bail hearing.
Man charged after assault at retail store
A 34-year-old Chatham-Kent man is facing assault charges after police said he attacked a business owner in Tilbury and later assaulted a special constable while in custody.
Police were called to a retail store for a report of an assault. Officers say the accused, who had previously been banned from the property for trespassing, returned to the store and launched an unprovoked attack on the business owner. The victim sustained minor injuries that did not require medical treatment. Police located the suspect nearby and briefly took him into custody. While being held at police headquarters, the man allegedly became irate and spat on a special constable. He has been charged with assault and assaulting a peace officer.
Man charged after misuse of 911 calls
A 42-year-old Blenheim man is facing a public mischief charge after allegedly making multiple non-emergency calls to 911 over several days.
Police say the man contacted the emergency line five times for matters that did not require an urgent response. Officers say the man, who is known to police, was uncooperative during follow-up and was cautioned after the fourth call, but continued to misuse the service.
On April 7, around 11:04 p.m., police responded to another 911 call and located the man on Grand Avenue West in Chatham. He was arrested and charged with public mischief, then released with a court date set for May 5.
Chatham man charged for damaging vehicle
A 36-year-old Chatham man is facing charges after allegedly violating court-ordered conditions and damaging a vehicle during an incident in Chatham.
Police say the man had been bound by an undertaking since March 8 that prohibited him from being within 100 metres of a specific location in Chatham and from communicating with a 40-year-old Wallaceburg woman with whom he had previously been in a five-month intimate relationship.
On April 4, police say the man attended the restricted location and attempted to speak with the woman. When she did not respond, he allegedly threw a chair at her vehicle, causing an estimated $800 in damage. Officers arrested the man at the scene and transported him to police headquarters. He is currently being held for a bail hearing.
Man charged with impaired driving
A 58-year-old Tilbury man has been charged with impaired driving after his vehicle ended up in a water-filled ditch on Baptiste Road.
Officers were called to the scene, where they found a vehicle partially submerged in three to four feet of water. Police entered the water to assist the driver, who appeared disoriented but had no visible injuries. Following an investigation, police determined the man was impaired. He was arrested at the scene and transported for breath testing, which registered blood alcohol concentrations of 180 mg — more than twice the legal limit. He has been charged with impaired operation and operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration over 80 mg.
