Police investigate fraud incident involving senior
The Barrie Police Service responded to reports that a man in his early 70’s was found injured in a parking lot on Lakeshore Drive. During the investigation, police learned that the man was the victim of a fraud scheme. The following information is from the Barrie Police Service:
“The victim advised police that he had received an unexpected call from an unknown male just before 8:00 p.m., stating that he was a suspect in a fraud investigation and police were going to come to his home and arrest him. The caller convinced the victim that in order to resolve the situation, he needed to attend a Collier Street financial institution. The victim took a cab to that location where an unknown male identified himself as the bank manager and stated they needed to go to another bank located at Minets Point Road and Yonge Street.
The senior, whose mobility is aided by a walker, got into the alleged bank manager’s car and at the bank, a cheque was deposited into the victim’s bank account.
The alleged bank manager, who is now considered a primary suspect in this scheme, drove the victim away from the Minets Point Road and Yonge Street bank and stopped in a Lakeshore Drive parking lot where he removed him from the car, and drove away with his walker. The victim, who was unsteady on his feet without the use of his walker, fell to the ground, sustained some facial injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.”
Police are urging people with elderly loved ones to discuss this event and remind them about how to identify fraud.
Investigators are seeking to identify a male suspect between the ages of 30 and 40 with a brown complexion, black hair, beard, wearing a black shirt and driving and a black Cadillac.
Police Service Dog Serge Retires
A long-serving member of the Barrie Police Service is retiring — Serge, a german shepherd who has served since 2014, is retiring from service.
Serge is the partner of Barrie Police Constable Matt Abofs and has attended 775 operational deployments that included tracking, searches for controlled drugs, evidence and people. He was responsible in 316 incidents where people were located, receiving a Life Saving Award in 2019.
He will spend his retirement living with Abofs, who will continue to serve in the canine unit with his other canine partner Radar, a Belgian malinois.
Police respond to weapons report
A 22-year-old man was arrested on Monday evening after he was reported to be loading a firearm, Barrie Police say.
Police responded to reports of the man and located him, and he was taken into custody without incident. No firearm was located.
Police rescue teens on Kempenfelt Bay
Two female teenagers were rescued from Kempenfelt Bay on July 24 after they were blown into open water on an inflatable floatie, say Barrie Police.
The teenagers were not wearing life jackets and could not swim and were on the floatie near the Centennial Beach fountain when strong, sudden winds blew them out to 100f eet from shore.
Barrie Police were able to bring the girls safely ashore near the Tiffin boat Launch and are encouraging people to use caution and wear a life jacket when spending time in water.
Barrie man killed in single motor vehicle collision
A man was killed in a single motor vehicle collision on July 23, Barrie Police say, after the vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree and fell on its side.
The driver was extricated by the Barrie Fire and Emergency Services and was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The collision occurred on Huronia Road south of Mapleview Drive East, Barrie Police say.
