Woodstock, ON – Two separate investigations within days of each other resulted in multiple arrests and the recovery of stolen property, with the Woodstock Police Service K9 Unit and Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) operators playing an important role in safely locating and apprehending suspects.
August 21, 2026 – Theft and Stolen Motorcycle Investigation
On August 21, 2026, at approximately 1:15 p.m., police received a report of a male attempting to steal property from the rear of a truck parked at a hotel on Norwich Avenue.
Officers attended and reviewed surveillance footage, which showed a male operating a motorcycle approach the truck and steal a generator.
Shortly after, officers observed a motorcycle travelling on Parkinson Road in a manner that demonstrated disregard for public safety. Officers attempted to stop the motorcycle; however, the driver fled the area. Police deployed a drone and located the suspect fleeing on foot in the industrial area of Parkinson Road.
Police observed the suspect climb a fence and cross both the westbound and eastbound lanes of Highway 401, narrowly avoiding traffic, before continuing toward Highway 403 and into nearby agricultural fields.
Officers established a perimeter, and the Woodstock Police Service K9 Unit was deployed to assist in tracking the suspect.
At approximately 2:45 p.m., officers located and arrested the suspect in an agricultural field with the assistance of the K9 Unit.
Police also recovered the motorcycle operated by the accused. Further investigation determined that the motorcycle had been reported stolen to the Woodstock Police Service.
As a result of the investigation, a 19-year-old male of Woodstock has been charged with:
- Theft Under $5,000 (two counts)
- Flight from Peace Officer
- Dangerous Operation
- Failure to Comply with Probation Order
- Disobeying Order of Court
The accused was held in custody for a bail hearing.
August 24, 2026 – Stolen Vehicle Investigation
On August 24, 2026, at approximately 4:20 a.m., an officer observed a vehicle parked in a parking lot on Mill Street. While police attempted to speak with occupants of the vehicle, a driver entered the vehicle and drove away at a high rate of speed, failing to stop for police. Officers discontinued following the vehicle out of concern for public safety.
A short time later, police observed the vehicle enter the eastbound Highway 401 off-ramp and travel westbound in the eastbound lanes before turning around and travelling eastbound.
Officers continued to observe the vehicle, which travelled onto Highway 403, Highway 53 and Highway 2 before entering a business property and crashing into a ditch.
Police deployed a drone and observed three individuals travelling through a wooded area near Highway 401. Police subsequently confirmed that the vehicle had been reported stolen to the Toronto Police Service.
The Woodstock Police Service K9 Unit was deployed to track the individuals. At approximately 5:30 a.m., officers located and arrested one male. Two additional males were located and arrested at approximately 6 a.m. with assistance from the police drone and K9 Unit.
As a result of the investigation, a 34-year-old Hamilton man, a 45-year-old Brampton man and a 39-year-old Brampton man have each been charged with:
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
At the time of the offence, all three accused were on existing release orders or Undertakings for various property offences. The accused were held in custody for bail hearings.
These two investigations demonstrate how the coordinated deployment of the Woodstock Police Service K9 Unit and RPAS technology can assist officers in safely locating suspects.
The police drone provides officers with an aerial view of large or difficult-to-access areas and can help locate and monitor individuals from a distance. The K9 Unit provides an additional tracking capability once officers have established a last known location.
In both investigations, these resources allowed officers to track suspects through wooded and agricultural areas, and coordinate arrests while maintaining a focus on public and officer safety.
The Woodstock Police Service would also like to thank members of the public who provided information during these investigations. The successful outcomes were the result of coordinated work between responding patrol officers, the K9 Unit, drone operators and community members.
The Woodstock Police Service would like to encourage anyone with information about this investigation to contact the Woodstock Police Service at 519-537-2323 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).