cRIME: 1)Driver pleads guilty in crash that killed father of 3, spurred calls for tougher laws; 2)Man faces second-degree murder charge in fatal Ontario college bar shooting; 3)Driver clocked at 156 km/h in Tay, OPP also charge impaired driver in Penetanguishene; 4)Barrie police hunt suspect after locker room theft turns into credit card fraud; 5)Search warrant at downtown Barrie address nets drugs and cash; 6) 2 charged High-risk takedown on Bayfield Street, Barrie police charge 2 people

1)Driver pleads guilty in crash that killed father of 3, spurred calls for tougher laws

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Jordan Omstead, April 27, 2026.

Andrew Cristillo pictured with his wife and three daughters in a family photo provided by Jordan Cristillo following his death in a 2025 crash.

A driver in a head-on crash that killed a father of three last August pleaded guilty on Monday in the case that prodded the Ontario government to seek tougher dangerous driving penalties.

The victim’s brother says Jaiwin Kirubananthan pleaded guilty to five charges, including dangerous driving causing death. Monday was scheduled to be the first day of the trial in Newmarket.

Andrew Cristillo, 35, was killed in the Aug. 3 crash in Whitchurch-Stouffville that also injured his wife and three young daughters.

His brother, Jordan Cristillo, called Monday’s plea “just the start of accountability and consequences.”

“What I want to see next is a sentence that really reflects egregiousness, recklessness, and tragedy that this individual caused for my brother, for his three daughters, and for his wife, Christina,” he said in an interview.

The maximum sentence for dangerous driving causing death is life imprisonment.

The Canadian Press has reached out to Kirubananthan’s lawyer for comment.

At the time of the crash, 18-year-old Kirubananthan was already facing another dangerous driving charge from an incident involving Premier Doug Ford months earlier. Police allege he hit an Ontario Provincial Police vehicle carrying Ford on Highway 401 in January 2025.

The premier met with Cristillo’s family after the August crash and introduced legislation in November to bring in stricter dangerous driving penalties.

The law, named for Cristillo, would impose lifetime licence suspensions for anyone convicted of dangerous driving causing death, allow police to immediately suspend a driver’s licence for 90 days and impound their vehicle if they are suspected of driving dangerously, and increase fines and vehicle impoundment periods for driving with a suspended licence.

Jordan Cristillo said his brother’s wife and daughters continue to work on their physical recovery from the crash, but the emotional toll will last a lifetime.

“I’m committed to see justice for my brother and to make sure that his legacy is one of protection for all of us on the road,” he said.

2)Man faces second-degree murder charge in fatal Ontario college bar shooting

Courtesy Barrie360.com and Canadian Press

By Canadian Press Staff, April 27, 2026

A suspect in a fatal shooting at a college bar in southwestern Ontario has been arrested after more than two weeks in hiding.

Sarnia police say they were called just before 1 a.m. on April 10 about gunfire at a bar on the Lambton College campus.

Police say 20-year-old Dane Nisbet died in hospital, while two others were injured.

Sarnia police say 24-year-old Kyaw (Chin) Doe was arrested Monday at a home in London.

They say he has been held for bail on charges of second-degree murder, attempted murder and possession of a firearm while prohibited.

Two 19-year-olds were charged with being accessories to murder after the fact and several firearm-related offences.

3)Driver clocked at 156 km/h in Tay, OPP also charge impaired driver in Penetanguishene

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, April 28, 2026

Southern Georgian Bay OPP have laid charges in two separate incidents involving dangerous driving.

On Tuesday at around 2 a.m., police say officers responded to reports of a suspected impaired driver leaving a Main Street convenience store in Penetanguishene. It’s alleged that the vehicle was spotted being driven recklessly at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was still located in the town at a residence on Edward Street. Police say officers spoke to the driver, who showed signs of alcohol impairment, which was later confirmed by breath testing.

A 46-year-old Penetanguishene man was charged with impaired driving.

The accused has a court date in June.

Southern Georgian Bay also had to deal with a speed demon in Tay Township.

Police say a vehicle was seen travelling 156 km/h in a posted 80 km/h zone on Vasey Road on Monday afternoon.

The driver was charged with stunt driving.

The vehicle was impounded for 14 days, and the driver’s licence of the motorist was suspended for 30 days.

4)Barrie police hunt suspect after locker room theft turns into credit card fraud

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, May 1, 2026

Barrie police have released photos of a suspect in connection with the theft of credit cards from a locked locker room at a Bayfield Street gym on March 10, 2026. Image provided by Barrie Police Service.

It didn’t take long for a stolen wallet in Barrie to turn into a shopping spree.

Police say someone broke into a locked locker at a Bayfield Street gym on March 10 and stole a wallet. Within an hour, the suspect was already using stolen credit cards at a local business.

Police have released photographs of the suspect. If you recognize him, contact Detective Constable Neil Petersen at 7573@barriepolice.ca and refer to case #CL26001073.

Police remind the public that the tap feature on a credit or debit card is convenient, but it bypasses the security measure that a PIN provides.

5)Search warrant at downtown Barrie address nets drugs and cash, 2 charged

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, May 1, 2026

Barrie Police investigate after executing a search warrant at a downtown address, seizing drugs, cash and stolen items.

Barrie police say they seized drugs and money during a search warrant executed downtown on Dunlop Street East between Clapperton Street and Owen Street.

Police say the warrant, carried out on Thursday, resulted in the seizure of a large amount of suspected methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and hydromorphone pills. As well, police say they located Canadian cash, stolen tools and other items.

Two Barrie men, ages 26 and 38, were charged with drug and trafficking offences, and failing to comply with a probation order.

6) High-risk takedown on Bayfield Street, Barrie police charge 2 people

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, April 27, 2026

A weapons call in Barrie’s north end led to a high-risk takedown Sunday night.

Police say they were called to the parking lot of a commercial plaza around 7:50 p.m. for reports of a violent disturbance involving four males.

Officers arrived within minutes and spotted the suspect vehicle leaving the plaza and heading onto Bayfield Street. Police conducted a high-risk stop and detained four people inside.

One suspect was arrested at the scene and taken to police headquarters, while the other three occupants were released.

About an hour and a half later, officials dealing with an unrelated call spotted a second suspect matching the description and took him into custody.

Police say no firearms were found despite an extensive search.

However, investigations using witness statements and video evidence say the two accused were armed with handguns and pointed them at the victims.

Two 21-year-old Barrie men have been charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, pointing a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm, possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order, and failing to comply with a probation order.

Police encourage the two male victims from the Kozlov Street parking lot incident to contact investigators via email at kburke@barriepolice.ca.

Additionally, anyone with information on this investigation is encouraged to contact Barrie Police at 705-725-7025.