Arrest made in sexual assault case
An investigation that began on September 5th, 2023 has led to the arrest of a 31 year old St. Thomas man.
Donald Pettit, has been identified as the person responsible for engaging in inappropriate physical contact reported to police.
The victim and the accused were not known to each other.
On Thursday September 7th, 31 year old Pettit was arrested for one count Sexual Assault. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed, held for court and remanded into custody.
The St. Thomas Police Service is concerned that there may be additional victims. We are actively seeking potential victims who may have had encounters with Donald Pettit. If you have any information related to this case or have experienced a similar incident involving Pettit, please contact the St. Thomas Police Service at 519-631-1224.
ST23015818/5923
Arrested
A 37 year old St. Thomas resident has been arrested. On Thursday September 7th, 2023 STPS were called to an area near the west end of Talbot Street to investigate the report of two unknown persons who appeared to be starting a fire. Upon arrival, police located the individuals, one on which was known to them to be wanted on an outstanding warrant with our service for Breach of Probation. The 37 year old was arrested and transported to police headquarters where they were processed and held for court. ST23015926
A 39 year old Kitchener resident has been arrested. On Thursday September 7th, 2023, the 39 year old attend police headquarters to turn themselves on an outstanding warrant for Theft under $5,000 after they were identified as the suspect in a shoplifting incident in St. Thomas in April 2023. The individual was processed and release on an undertaking with a future court date. ST23015947
Fraud
A local resident is out $75,000 after opening what was believed to be a legitimate online wallet for investing. A total of $70,000 was transferred to the online wallet to begin investing. A short time after and between the months of March and August 2023, the victim reports multiple transfers from the online wallet to a third party investor until the wallet had reached $0.00. The victim then sought the help of an online company who appeared to specialize in fraud investigations, similar to theirs. The victim transferred $5,000 to the online company. It is believed this company is also fraudulent. This remains under investigation by members of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB). ST23015930
$3,500 in fraudulent bank activity has been reported to police. On Thursday September 7th, 2023 St. Thomas police were contacted by the power of attorney of a deceased relative who had been reviewing account details and noticed several withdrawals from cheques written from the account that had not been authorized. The individual was urged to contact police after consulting with the bank. This remains under investigation by members of the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) ST23015938
The St. Thomas Police Services reminds the community to stay vigilant against online fraud:
- Verify: Always research and verify the legitimacy of online investment platforms and third-party companies before sharing your financial information.
- Use Reputable Services: Stick to well-known and reputable investment platforms and financial institutions.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect fraud, contact the police immediately. Prompt reporting can make a significant difference in recovering lost funds.
- Educate Yourself: Educate yourself about common online scams and red flags to protect your finances.
Online fraud is on the rise, and scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself and your assets from falling victim to such scams.
