CRIME: 1)Two guys pulling a large bin of tools attracts attention of Barrie police; 2)Collingwood man handed multiple charges after alleged impaired driving; 3)Barrie woman charged after alleged impaired crash with child in vehicle; 4)OPP seeking assistance in identifying suspects in Penetanguishene mugging 5)Seven teenagers, including a 15-year-old, charged after armed robbery in Alliston; 6) Orillia OPP make arrests in multiple theft incidents minutes apart; 7)Multiple charges laid in commercial vehicle inspection blitz by Collingwood and Huronia West OPP; 8)Impaired driver arrested by OPP in Gravenhurst

1)Two guys pulling a large bin of tools attracts attention of Barrie police

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, February 27, 2026

Two men pulling a large bin of tools around 2 a.m. on Thursday was enough to spark the curiosity of Barrie police officers.

They approached the men in the area of Dunlop Street West and Anne Street on suspicion that the tools may have been stolen.

During the investigation, police learned one of the individuals had an outstanding warrant from another police service, and he was arrested.

As the investigation continued, the officers spotted residue inside a glass pipe, resulting in the arrest of the second male for possession. A search also turned up a prohibited knife and a cannister of bear spray.

The officers then followed tracks left in the snow from the two men back to a pickup truck on Hart Drive where it’s believed the tools were stolen.

A 39-year-old Barrie man was charged with possession of stolen property obtained by crime under $5,000, possession of a prohibited weapon, and failure to comply with a probation order.

A 38-year-old man is facing charges of possession of stolen property obtained by crime under $5,000.

2)Collingwood man handed multiple charges after alleged impaired driving

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Julius Hern, February 27, 2026

Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP charged a man on Thursday morning after a traffic stop led officers to believe he was impaired behind the wheel.

Around 12:30 a.m., patrolling officers near Beachwood Road and Highway 26 saw a vehicle displaying “poor driving behaviour,” prompting a traffic stop. Police say he was driving 76 kilometres per hour, 26 over the posted limit, and with an obstructed licence plate.

Eventually, officers formed grounds the 34-year-old male driver from Collingwood was impaired while operating the vehicle.

He’s facing 19 total charges including nine counts of driving while prohibited, three counts of failing to comply with probation, impaired driving, among others, obstructing and resisting a peace officer, refusal to comply with demand, obstructing his licence plate, speeding, and failing to surrender his licence.

The man was held for a bail hearing.

3)Barrie woman charged after alleged impaired crash with child in vehicle

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Julius Hern, February 26, 2026

A Barrie woman is facing multiple criminal charges after her alleged impairment led to a single-vehicle collision on Wednesday evening while her child was a passenger.

Around 6:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to an area on North Village Way (within Park Place) after reports of a suspected impaired driver that struck multiple bollards near an indoor play facility.

Police say witnesses told them the vehicle nearly penetrated the business’ main entrance.

At the time of the crash, the driver’s five-year-old child was inside the vehicle. The woman tried to flee the scene, but the car stopped nearby due to significant damage

This composite image provided by Barrie Police shows the extensive damage to a woman’s vehicle after a crash at Park Place in Barrie, Ont., Feb. 25, 2026.

Upon arrival, officers investigated the woman for impaired driving. Her breath samples showed her blood alcohol content was three times over the legal limit.

The 42-year-old woman is facing impaired operation, impaired operation over the legal limit, and dangerous operation charges. She was released and has a future court date.

Meanwhile, the child was picked up by a family member at the scene. No injuries were reported.

“Impaired driving continues to pose a significant risk to the community,” Barrie Police stated in a release. “Choosing to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs not only endangers the driver, but also passengers and others on the road.”

4)OPP seeking assistance in identifying suspects in Penetanguishene mugging

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Julius Hern, February 25, 2026

Southern Georgian Bay OPP is appealing to the public for information concerning a late‑night robbery on Sunday in Penetanguishene.

Police say a woman was walking in the area of Robert Street East and Brock Street between 11 p.m. and 12 a.m. on Monday when she was approached by two males. One of them demanded money and tried to take the bag she was carrying.

Soon after, a struggle ensued, which resulted in the victim and the likely primary suspect suffering minor injuries. A second male suspect remained nearby but did not participate.

The woman escaped and contacted police the following day.

OPP are asking residents or those who may have been in the area of Robert Street East and Brock Street, Louise Cresent or Lorne Avenue in Penetanguishene to review any surveillance or dashcam video. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Southern Georgian Bay OPP

SUSPECT DESCRIPTIONS

Southern Georgian Bay OPP have provided the following descriptions:

I – First

White male

Approximately 5’10”-6′ tall

Heavy build

35-40 years old

Wearing dark clothing and black shoes

Long sandy‑brown hair

Medium‑length unkempt beard, patchy on the sides

Appeared intoxicated by alcohol

May have visible injuries to the face or head

II – Second

White male

Younger in appearance

Approximately 5’6″

Wearing a dark jacket

Brown beanie/toque

5)Seven teenagers, including a 15-year-old, charged after armed robbery in Alliston

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Julius Hern, February 25, 2026

Police have arrested and charged seven teenagers, including a 15-year-old, following an armed robbery at a retail business on Young Street in Alliston in May.

On Thursday, police execute search warrants at residences across multiple jurisdictions, and arrested four individuals in connection to the incident in addition to three that were arrested shortly after it occurred.

Police say those four arrested were held for a bail hearing that occurred on Thursday, and remain in custody.

Two 17-year-olds, one of Ajax and another of Toronto, are facing charges of robbery with a weapon and conspiracy to commit to an indictable offence. A 19-year-old from Mississauga and a 19-year-old from Etobicoke were each charged with the latter offence.

Nottawasaga OPP say the business alerted them that they had been robbed by five individuals brandishing a firearm. Electronics valued at nearly $30,000 were taken, along with an employee’s Louis Vuitton purse.

Officers eventually located a vehicle matching the provided description and brought it to a stop in Toronto. Three suspects were arrested and turned over to the Nottawasaga detachment, and it was initially believed that two others were outstanding.

Two replica firearms were also seized.

From the earlier arrests, an 18-year-old from Brampton was charged with:

• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Robbery with weapon
• Mischief – destroys or damages property
• Possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Disguise with intent
• Flight from peace officer
• Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence

A 15-year-old from Brampton was charged with:

• Disguise with intent
• Possession property obtained by crime over $5,000 – in Canada
• Robbery with weapon
• Mischief – destroys or damages property
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• Flight from peace officer
• Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
• Failure to comply with undertaking

A 17-year-old from Mississauga was charged with:

• Possession property obtained by crime over $5,000 – in Canada
• Robbery with weapon
• Mischief – destroys or damages property
• Flight from peace officer
• Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
• Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence

All were held for a bail hearing.

6)OPP in Orillia arrested and charged two people on Sunday morning after calls regarding separate theft-from-vehicle incidents.

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Julius Hern, February 23, 2026

Both suspects are being held for bail hearings on Sunday.

Orillia OPP says vehicle owners should never leaving a running vehicle unattended, ensure doors are locked and windows are rolled up, keep valuables out of site, and consider the use of cameras around the property to reduce the risk of being a victim of theft.

Just after 2:30 a.m., officers responded to reports of someone going through vehicles in the area of Shannon Street. They located and arrested the accused.

Police searched the 53-year-old man of no fixed address and found several items that weren’t in his name such as medications, wallets, and other personal property. The accused was transported back to the Orillia OPP Detachment for further investigation.

He is facing charges of theft under $5,000, possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime, obstructing a peace officer, identity theft, possession of break-in instruments, trespassing at night, credit card theft, failure to comply with a probation order, and possession of a schedule 3 substance.

Then, just after 2:40 a.m., another call for service brought officers to the area of Lewis Drive where they found a suspect as they were looking through an unlocked vehicle.

Upon searching the suspect, they found property that wasn’t in their name, and arrested them.

The 29-year-old woman from Orillia is facing charges of theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, mischief, and resisting a peace officer.

7)Multiple charges laid in commercial vehicle inspection blitz by Collingwood and Huronia West OPP

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Ian MacLennan, February 23, 2026

Collingwood and Huronia West OPP recently conducted a traffic initiative focused on commercial motor vehicles in which multiple charges were laid.

One vehicle in particular stood out for all the wrong reasons, according to police.

In a social media post on Monday, police said one vehicle was found to be in violation of multiple offences, including a year-old expired permit, permit weight violation, no semi-annual inspection, failing to surrender pre-trip inspection, failing to surrender inspection, and failing to provide proof of insurance.

Police remind all commercial vehicle operators to ensure their vehicles are compliant with all safety and documentation requirements before travelling on Ontario roadways.

8)Impaired driver arrested by OPP in Gravenhurst

Courtesy Barrie360.com

By Julius Hern, February 22, 2026

Bracebridge OPP charged a man with impaired driving following a traffic stop on Friday night in Gravenhurst.

Just before 11 p.m., a patrolling officer noted a concerning vehicle a Muskoka Road South. They initiated an investigation and eventually arrested a 31-year-old man from Cambridge.

He was charged with impaired operation while over the legal blood alcohol content limit. He’ll face the charge on April 7 in a Bracebridge court.