CRIME: 1)Man charged after Barrie Police counterfeit money investigation; 2)OPP sergeant from Alliston charged in child sexual exploitation investigation, 3)Gift‑card scam hits Barrie store; Police urge other victims to come forward, 4)Woman charged after driving nearly three times over BAC limit: Barrie police; 5)Dump truck driver charged after bringing down power lines in Barrie; 6)OPP investigating after teen reports attempted abduction in Oro-Medonte; 7)(Update) Online threat against Barrie high school unfounded: police; 8)Barrie police seeking two suspects in early-morning assault; 9)One charged with impaired driving following collision in Severn; 10)Break and Enter investigation leads to charges in Innisfil; 11)Drug trafficking charge laid after Midland wellness check; 12)Man facing charges for armed robbery in Collingwood; 13)OPP investigating fatal early-morning crash in Severn
1)Man charged after Barrie Police counterfeit money investigation
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, September 25, 2026
Barrie Police are warning the public about counterfeit $50 and $100 bills being used in recent transactions in the city.
Police say the fake bills have been used to buy items from people selling things through Facebook Marketplace, as well a local retailer earlier this month.
A 19-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday in the area of Worsley Street after officers recognized him as a wanted individual.
He faces two counts of using counterfeit money and failing to comply with a release order.
Police are asking anyone who believes they may have unknowingly accepted a counterfeit $50 or $100 bill to contact the lead investigator by email at 11514@barriepolice.ca.
Police remind retailers and anyone selling items through Facebook Marketplace or other online platforms to take a moment to examine the money before completing a transaction.
“Sellers should be particularly cautious when accepting large denomination bills,” police said in a media release.
The Bank of Canada recommends using the ‘Feel, Look, Tilt and Flip’ method to spot a fake money note.
Feel:
Canadian polymer notes have a smooth, unique texture.
Genuine notes have raised ink on areas including the large number, the portrait and the words Bank of Canada.
Look:
Check the large transparent window.
The metallic portrait should match the large portrait on the front of the note.
Check that the numbers in and around the transparent window match the denomination.
The word Canada in the transparent window should be transparent and slightly raised.
Tilt and flip:
Flip the note over and check that the metallic features in the transparent window appear in the same colours and detail on the other side.
Tilt the note and look for colour changes in the metallic features.
2) OPP sergeant from Alliston charged in child sexual exploitation investigation
News | Local
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, September 25, 2026
An Alliston man who is an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) sergeant with 28 years of service is facing charges following a child sexual exploitation investigation.
The OPP says a search warrant was executed at an Alliston residence on June 16.
Police seized several electronic devices during the search.
On Sept. 8, 54-year-old Chris Weise was charged with accessing and possessing child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
The OPP says Weise is currently on an unrelated leave of absence.
He is to appear in Bradford court on Oct. 8.
3)Gift‑card scam hits Barrie store; Police urge other victims to come forward
Courtesy Barrie360.com and News Release
By Staff, September 25, 2026
Barrie Police is urging retailers – and any other potential victims – to come forward after two suspects allegedly pulled off a gift‑card distraction scam at a Bayfield Street store.
Police say they were contacted on Sept. 17, after staff noticed a cash shortage tied to gift‑card transactions. Investigators learned two suspects entered the store around 8:30 p.m., selected several gift cards, and asked the cashier to load money onto them.
According to police, one suspect distracted the cashier while the second quietly swapped the loaded cards for empty ones. The pair then requested their money back, claiming they would return with smaller bills. Once the cash was refunded, the suspects left, taking the loaded cards with them.
Police say these suspects may be linked to nearly three dozen similar gift‑card frauds across Ontario.
Police warn retailers about distraction tactics
Investigators encourage retail employees to stay alert for distraction techniques, which can include “repeated questions, acting confused, engaging in conversation, becoming agitated, or accusing the cashier of some wrong‑doing.”
They also recommend that staff keep gift cards in their possession until the transaction is fully completed to prevent fraudulent swaps.
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted in a similar incident is urged to contact police or review store footage for suspicious activity.
4)Woman charged after driving nearly three times over BAC limit: Barrie police
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, September 24, 2026
A woman was arrested and charged with impaired driving on Sunday afternoon after her SUV struck a parked vehicle in Barrie’s Letitia Heights neighbourhood and left the scene.
Around 1 p.m., officers found the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop in the area of Austen Lane and Atwood Court. Police say as the vehicle came to a stop, it mounted the curb.
Officers reported an odour of alcohol coming off the driver’s breath and subsequently arrested the woman for suspected impaired driving.
Police say testing at police headquarters determined the 46-year-old woman was nearly three times over the blood alcohol concentration limit.
She was charged with two counts of impaired driving and failing to remain at the scene.
“One call could prevent an impaired driver from hurting themselves or someone else,” the Barrie Police Service said in a release. “Together, we can help keep our roads safe.”
5)Dump truck driver charged after bringing down power lines in Barrie
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, September 24, 2026
A man is facing a careless driving charge after the dump box of the dump truck he was driving struck and brought down overhead power lines on Wednesday in Barrie.
Around 4 p.m., Barrie police officers responded to the scene on Lockhart Road where the truck was leaving a construction site and struck the electrical lines with its box raised.
Police say the collision brought down live hydro lines and created a power outage and safety hazard in the immediate area.
As a result, the 37-year-old man from Brampton, who was driving, was handed a careless driving charge.
6) OPP investigating after teen reports attempted abduction in Oro-Medonte
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, September 23, 2026
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a reported attempted abduction in Oro-Medonte.
The OPP says they were contacted on September 6 about a suspicious incident involving a 17-year-old girl from Oro-Medonte.
Police say the girl reported that on an unknown date in mid-to-late August, between 9 and 10:30 p.m., she was walking in the area of Old Barrie Road near 4th Line North when an unknown male approached her from behind and tried to restrain her and remove her from the area.
The attempt was unsuccessful, and the girl was able to get away safely.
7)(Update) Online threat against Barrie high school unfounded: police
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, September 23, 2026
Updated story
Barrie Police say an online threat against St. Joseph’s Catholic High School reported earlier on Wednesday was unfounded.
In a social media post on Wednesday afternoon, police said an officer will remain at the school for the rest of the school day as a precaution.
“Barrie Police take every potential threat, whether online or otherwise, very seriously and investigate to ensure the safety of everyone,” police said on social media.
Original story – Sept. 23, 2026
Barrie Police are investigating an online threat targeting a group of students at St. Joseph’s Catholic High School.
Police say officers will remain at the school throughout Wednesday as a precaution while they investigate.
Investigators are working with school officials and say their priority is the safety of students, staff and the community.
Police said they will continue to assess the situation and provide updates when possible.
8)Barrie police seeking two suspects in early-morning assault
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, September 23, 2026
Barrie police are looking to identify two suspects connected to an alleged assault that happened in Barrie on Wednesday morning.
Officers responded to the scene at a business on Dunlop Street West at Eccles Street North around 3 a.m. after two men reportedly assaulted staff after being denied service.
The victims sustained minor injuries, a security camera and interior door was damaged, and the suspects fled the scene prior to police arriving.
Police say the first suspect is described as roughly five feet 10 inches tall with a medium build and short brown or reddish hair. He wore a black hoodie with an emblem on the left chest and black pants.
The second suspect is described as six feet tall with a medium build. He wore a grey hoodie with the hood over his head, dark-coloured jeans, and black sneakers.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact police.
9) One charged with impaired driving following collision in Severn
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, September 23, 2026
Provincial police have handed a driver two charges after determining their crash on Tuesday night in Severn was aided by impairment.
Orillia OPP responded to the report of a single-vehicle crash on South Sparrow Lake Road at McLeod Drive around 10:20 p.m.
Witnesses reported the vehicle hit some equipment at a nearby train yard, causing minor damage.
Officers eventually located the driver, and investigated them for impaired operation, including further testing at the detachment.
The 51-year-old driver from Severn was charged with impaired operation and failure to remain, as well as having their licence suspended for seven days.
A court appearance in Orillia will happen at a later date, according to police.
10)Break and Enter investigation leads to charges in Innisfil
By Staff, September 23, 2026
Courtesy NewsRelease and Barrie360.com
Police in Innisfil have arrested a man in connection with a series of break-ins and theft-related incidents dating back to early summer.
South Simcoe Police say their Street Crime Unit launched an investigation after a lockbox containing a house key was taken from a property in town. Investigators say the suspect returned to the property multiple times between June 1 and July 18.
A 29-year-old is facing charges of theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and two counts of break and enter involving a non-residential property.
11)Drug trafficking charge laid after Midland wellness check
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, September 22, 2026
Drugs allegedly spotted in plain view inside a vehicle led to trafficking charges against a man in Midland.
Ontario Provincial Police said officers were conducting a wellness check at a residence on Queen Street when they received information about a vehicle reportedly associated with the home.
An officer later found the vehicle in a parking lot, with the driver inside and the keys in the ignition.
While speaking with the occupants, officers say suspected drugs were seen in plain view in the centre console.
A 44-year-old from Hillsdale was charged with drug trafficking (methamphetamine), having care or control of a vehicle with cannabis readily available, and possessing more than one licence.
12) Man facing charges for armed robbery in Collingwood
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, September 22, 2026
Provincial police arrested and charged a man after an armed robbery at a convenience store in Collingwood on Sunday night.
Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP were called to a local Circle K location for service at 8 p.m.
Police say officers reviewed surveillance footage and identified the suspect soon after, subsequently making the arrest of a 32-year-old Collingwood man.
He is facing charged of armed robbery, uttering threats, and carrying a concealed weapon.
The man was held for a bail hearing and he was remanded into custody before a court hearing at a later date.
13)OPP investigating fatal early-morning crash in Severn
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, September 20, 2026
Provincial police are investigating a collision in Severn that resulted in one man losing his life on Sunday morning.
Orillia OPP and other emergency responders were called to the scene of a single-vehicle crash on Town Line near Upper Big Chute Road in Coldwater around 1:30 a.m.
A 29-year-old man from Burlington, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was pronounced dead at the scene.
The intersection of Upper Big Chute Road, Mount Stephen Road, and Town Line was closed until 8:45 a.m. as the OPP Technical Collision Investigation (TCI) Unit assisted with the investigation, which is ongoing.