Crime: 1) (Updated) 1 person charged by Barrie police in ongoing assault investigation; 2)2 people charged in Barrie stabbing; 3)Multiple charges laid against driver travelling wrong way on Hwy. 11 near Gravenhurst; 4)Suspect seen on rooftop following domestic incident in Barrie facing charges; 5)Police seek suspect after spray-paint vandalism at Innisfil religious site; 6)Police seek suspect after spray-paint vandalism at Innisfil religious site; 7)Suspect vehicle flees at 144 km/h in Bradford West Gwillimbury, plows through farm field before escape; 8)Three arrested after gun found in vehicle in Tay Township; 8)Three arrested after gun found in vehicle in Tay Township
1)(Updated) 1 person charged by Barrie police in ongoing assault investigation
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, April 20, 2026
Barrie police lead a handcuffed man away following a tactical response at a home on Essa Road on April 19, 2026.
Updated:
A 37-year-old from Barrie has been charged after city cops closed a section of Essa Road late Sunday morning when they responded to a residence for reports that a man had assaulted a woman known to him and made threats indicating he had a firearm.
Around 12:30 p.m., the man was taken into custody without incident.
He has been charged with two counts of uttering threats to cause bodily harm, and one count each of assault with a weapon and administering a noxious substance with intent to cause bodily harm.
The investigation is ongoing.
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Original story:
Barrie Police would like to thank residents for their patience during the road closures and investigation.
Barrie police took a man into custody after multiple units, including the tactical team, responded to a residence on Essa Road between Gowan Road and Burton Avenue late Sunday morning, where a person was believed to be holed up.
Police said the incident is related to an ongoing assault investigation, where two individuals involved are known to each other.
Around 12:30 p.m., a male was taken into custody.
Essa Road has reopened between Gowan Street and Burton Avenue.
2)2 people charged in Barrie stabbing
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, April 18, 202
Barrie police are investigating a stabbing that resulted in a 42-year-old man being transported to hospital.
Officers responded to the area of Owen Street and Grove Street, in the city’s north-end, just before midnight where they found the victim.
A 23-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man were arrested and charged, a police spokesperson told Barrie 360.
“The incident is believed to be isolated, as the victim and two individuals charged both live in the area, and had an interaction prior to the assault,” police added.
Investigators don’t believe there are any other suspects.
3)Multiple charges laid against driver travelling wrong way on Hwy. 11 near Gravenhurst
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, April 22, 2026
Ontario Provincial Police say motorists had to take evasive action to avoid a collision with a driver travelling the wrong way on Highway 11, south of Gravenhurst. Police received multiple reports shortly after 4 p.m. Tuesday about an aggressive driver heading north in the southbound lanes.
Police were able to locate the vehicle and arrest the driver.
Charges against the 20-year-old woman from Fort Albany include impaired driving, over 80, dangerous operation of a vehicle, failing to stop for an accident, possession of property obtained by crime, driving the wrong way on a divided highway, novice driver with a blood-alcohol content above zero, and being a G1 licence holder unaccompanied by a qualified driver.
The accused was to appear for a bail hearing on Wednesday.
4)Suspect seen on rooftop following domestic incident in Barrie facing charges
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, April 23, 2026
Emergency crews blocked off a section of Essa Road near the bus terminal at Gowan Street and Tiffin Street in Barrie as officers responded to a domestic incident.
First responders were alerted around six on Wednesday evening, and according to a police communications spokesperson, officers established a perimeter for the man’s safety.
A fire truck raised a ladder to the top of a building after a man was spotted on the roof.
The situation was resolved rather quickly, according to the police communications spokesperson, and the roads reopened around 7:30 p.m.
5)Police seek suspect after spray-paint vandalism at Innisfil religious site
Courtesy Barrie360.com
South Simcoe Police are investigating a case of vandalism at a religious property in Innisfil.
Police say officers were called to the area of Innisfil Beach Road and Williard Avenue on April 10 at around 3:45 p.m. regarding a report of property damage.
According to investigators, the vandalism occurred earlier that morning, around 10:45, when a man arrived at the location and used spray paint to damage the property.
Police obtained video footage from the surrounding area and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the man and a vehicle he was operating.
The suspect is described as a white male, between 50 and 60 years old, with a grey beard. At the time, he was wearing a black baseball cap, a grey jacket featuring Canadian and American flags on the chest, black pants, and brown boots.
Investigators also say the suspect was driving a black Volkswagen Beetle with silver spoked rims and a rear spoiler.
Police are urging anyone with information on the suspect or the vehicle to contact them.
6)(Updated) SIU seeking witnesses after school bus and truck collide on Hwy. 11 in Orillia
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan,April 23, 2026
The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is seeking witnesses after a collision involving a school bus and a truck on Highway 11 in Orillia last week.
A 16-year-old girl on board the bus suffered a serious, non-life-threatening injury.
According to the SIU, at around 7:30 a.m. on April 16, an officer driving an OPP vehicle with emergency lights was stopped on the off-ramp to Forestview Road and partially onto Highway 11 northbound. At the same time, travelling northbound on Highway 11, the SIU says there was a collision involving a school bus and a truck.
“Dashcam video shows a dark-coloured Jeep Wrangler SUV travelling northbound, as well as vehicular traffic travelling southbound at the time of the collision,” the SIU said in a news release.
SIU investigators are asking any of those drivers who may have witnessed the collision, or has dashcam footage, to contact the SIU at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php
7)Suspect vehicle flees at 144 km/h in Bradford West Gwillimbury, plows through farm field before escape
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, April 23, 2026
Around 9 a.m. on Thursday, South Simcoe Police clocked a vehicle blasting through a 60-zone at 144 km/h on Line 5 between County Road 27 and Sideroad 5.
When the officer attempted a traffic stop, the driver took off instead.
From there, the vehicle tore into a farm field in an attempt to evade police.
As officers attempted to contain the vehicle, the driver reversed at high speed, crossing a ditch, and getting back onto the road to continue their escape between Line 5 and County Road 27.
At one point during the field trip, the vehicle lost its exhaust system.
Police called of the pursuit due to a risk to public safety.
The suspect vehicle was last seen heading south on Sideroad 5, south of Line 4 in Bradford.
It’s described as a light-coloured Ford Escape, believed to be a 2008 to 2012 model, and it’s missing its exhaust, meaning it would be very loud if it’s still on the road.
8)Three arrested after gun found in vehicle in Tay Township
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, April 24, 2026
Three men from Georgian Bay Township face firearms charges after an Ontario Provincial Police investigation in Tay Township.
Southern Georgian Bay OPP say just before noon on April 18, they spotted several people getting out of a parked vehicle at a business on Quarry Road.
Police confirmed that one of the individuals was wanted on an outstanding warrant. While speaking with the men, they noted a firearm inside the vehicle that was unsecured and within easy reach. The discovery led to the arrest of the three individuals.
A 48-year-old has been charged with:
A 43-year-old was charged with:
A 32-year-old was charged with:
All of the accused have a court date in July.
Police charge Barrie driver speeding 55 km/h over posted limit
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, April 24, 2026
Barrie police getting $1.2M from province for various projects
A Barrie man was arrested and charged on Thursday afternoon after Barrie police recorded him travelling more than double the posted speed limit on city streets.
Just after 2 p.m., officers conducting traffic enforcement on Ferndale Drive North used radar to measure the vehicle zooming at 105 kilometres per hour in a posted 50 km/h zone.
The driver was subsequently arrested following a traffic stop north of Tiffin Street, where police say they learned the man was driving with a suspended licence.
As a result, the 41-year-old man from Barrie is facing three charges under the Highway Traffic Act including stunt driving, speeding, and driving while under suspension.
He was also handed a 30-day licence suspension, and the vehicle was impounded for 14 days.
“Highway speeds have no place on city streets. Speed limits aren’t suggestions – they are the law to keep everyone safe,” the service said in a news release.