St. Thomas, ON – Wednesday July 9th 2025
A 28 year old St. Thomas resident has been arrested and remanded into custody following a disturbance at the St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, Tuesday morning.
On July 8th 2025, just after 5:30 a.m. officers responded to a disturbance inside the emergency room of the hospital.
Upon arrival, officers were advised that a male had been throwing garbage cans inside the emergency department, prompting hospital security to evacuate the area due to his aggressive behaviour.
The accused left the hospital on foot but was located a short distance away by officers. Shortly after locating him, we received information that a fire had been discovered in the washroom located beside the emergency waiting room. The St. Thomas Fire Department responded to the scene and observed smoke throughout the waiting. The fire caused visible damage to the floor and garbage can.
As a result, 28 year old Tharen Stover of St. Thomas was charged with:
- Arson – Disregard for Human Life
- Uttering Threats
- Mischief Under $5,000
- Fail to Comply with Release Order
Stover is known to police and is currently out on bail facing 12 charges that remain before the courts, including nine counts of Failure to Comply with a Probation Order, Arson, and Failure to Comply with an Undertaking.
At the time of the incident, Stover was bound by multiple conditions of a probation order stemming from prior convictions, including:
- Failure to Comply with Probation
- Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition
- Theft Under $5,000
As the result of a court appearance on Tuesday, he has been remanded into custody.
This act demonstrated a willful and reckless disregard for the safety of patients, hospital staff, and the citizens of St. Thomas. STPS continues to work alongside the St. Thomas Fire Department, hospital staff and security to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community.
