Good Morning Ottawa, The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) has been very busy with a number of stories to report on.
Man carrying imitation gun
On June 18, at approximately 12:27 a.m. ET, officers responded to a report of a man dressed in black and carrying what appeared to be an assault-style rifle. Officers quickly located the man on Seneca Street and made an arrest without incident. An imitation assault-style rifle, a replica handgun with a magazine, and additional magazines were seized. The OPS Central Investigations Section has charged a man in his 20s with two counts of possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace, one count of carrying a concealed weapon, one count of common nuisance/endangering the lives or safety of the public and one count of mischief.
OPS officer facing charges in Halton
On June 19, the OPS was notified that Staff Sergeant Walt Lushman had been charged by the Halton Regional Police Service following an off-duty incident in Oakville. The incident occurred on Friday, June 12, at approximately 10:20 p.m. ET, following an alleged dispute related to a collision between two vehicles. Staff Sergeant Lushman has been charged with one count of assault and was released on an undertaking with conditions. The matter remains under criminal investigation by the Halton Regional Police Service. Staff Sergeant Lushman will have no public-facing duties while authorities investigate this matter.
Whereabouts unknown after hate-motivated assault
On June 20, at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET in the 100 block of Woodridge Cres., unprovoked, a man approached a woman and uttered a racial slur, forcibly removed her hijab and threw an umbrella at her, before fleeing on foot. Fortunately, the victim sustained no physical injuries. The suspect was unknown to the victim and remains outstanding. If you have information related to this incident, please contact the OPS.
Months-long investigation concludes
The OPS Break and Enter Unit has concluded a months-long investigation into a series of break and enters affecting businesses in the Vanier and Overbrook areas. The investigation began on Feb. 1, and focused on incidents occurring through June 1. Across 20 incidents, suspects targeted several businesses, including some they victimized more than once. Authorities arrested a 45-year-old man, who remains in custody. The accused faces a total of 61 Criminal Code charges, including multiple counts of break and enter, mischief, possession of break-in instruments, and breaching probation. The man is scheduled to appear in court on June 29.
