By: Matt Weinagrden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
Communities across the municipality, including areas frequently travelled by Tilbury residents, saw a surge of police activity over the past several days as the Chatham-Kent Police Service responded to multiple incidents ranging from thefts and assaults to weapons calls and impaired driving.
Police first reported a stolen vehicle incident on April 15 after a car was taken from a business on Base Line in Wallaceburg. Officers located the vehicle within minutes on McNaughton Avenue and arrested a 32‑year‑old Chatham-Kent woman. A search of the vehicle uncovered additional stolen property belonging to another victim. According to the report, “a search of the recovered vehicle also resulted in the recovery of property belonging to another victim,” leading to five criminal charges.
Earlier that day, a 44‑year‑old Chatham man was arrested after allegedly making death threats toward family members while travelling on Charing Cross Road. Police say the man became agitated during a verbal dispute and drove erratically before being taken into custody.
A separate late-night disturbance on April 14 resulted in the arrest of a 23‑year‑old Chatham man after an 18‑year‑old woman reported being threatened with a knife inside a vehicle. She escaped with minor injuries, and the accused now faces multiple charges including assault with a weapon and forcible confinement.
Officers also responded to reports of a man going through vehicles on Sylvester Drive in Chatham. A struggle occurred before police arrested a 53‑year‑old suspect, who now faces charges including theft under $5,000 and obstructing a peace officer.
In Bothwell, a 36‑year‑old man was arrested for breaching a release order after police confirmed he contacted a victim through a group text message, violating court-imposed conditions. Another incident in Blenheim involved a 37‑year‑old woman who allegedly threw a security camera and an ashtray at another tenant before being transported to hospital for assistance.
Additional calls included an assault on Gray Street in Chatham, where a 24‑year‑old woman was struck by a man who knocked a hot beverage from her hand. In Blenheim, a 28‑year‑old man was assaulted by his roommate while in bed, requiring EMS transport to hospital.
Police also arrested a 43‑year‑old Dawn-Euphemia man for impaired driving after he failed a roadside test on Cairo Road. A 67‑year‑old Chatham man was issued a Provincial Offence Notice for driving under suspension, and a 32‑year‑old woman was charged after intentionally pulling a fire alarm at a Wallaceburg business.
A brief police pursuit occurred on Charing Cross Road when a vehicle repeatedly failed to remain stopped for officers. The pursuit was terminated for safety reasons, but the driver later pulled over and was issued Provincial Offence Notices.
The final incident involved a 64‑year‑old Chatham man who allegedly assaulted a drive‑thru employee during a dispute at a Richmond Street business. He was charged with assault and uttering threats.
