Fraud or Crime: 1)Police pooch tracks variety store robbery suspect in Innisfil; 2)(Updated) Classifieds transaction in Barrie turns into armed robbery, BPS investigating; 3)OPP investigating pickup truck theft in Gravenhurst theft linking Barrie vehicle; 4)20 vehicles were stolen in Barrie last month, and police urge residents to take extra precautions
1)Police pooch tracks variety store robbery suspect in Innisfil
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, January 15, 2026
Police believe this knife was brandished by a suspect during a variety store robbery on Tuesday in Innisfil. Image provided by South Simcoe Police Service
South Simcoe Police dog Nash helped track a robbery suspect that led to that person’s arrest.
Around 6:45 Tuesday evening, police responded to a report of a robbery at the Sandy Cove Variety on Lockhart Road in Innisfil. They say a man who was armed with a knife and wearing a mask, a dark-coloured jacket with a hood, demanded money from the store owner. The owner handed over some cash, and the suspect fled on foot, eastbound on Lockhart Road.
Police deployed the canine unit that tracked the accused to a home on Flora Drive in Innisfil. A knife believed to have been used in the robbery was found outside the residence.
A 46-year-old Barrie man has been charged with:
The accused was held for a bail hearing.
Anyone with information or who has surveillance footage from the area between 6:30 and 6:40 p.m. on Tuesday is asked to contact South Simcoe police at 905-775-3311, ext. 1461, or investigations@southsimcoepolice.ca. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestopperssdm.com.
2)(Updated) Classifieds transaction in Barrie turns into armed robbery, BPS investigating
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, January 15, 2026
What was meant to be a transaction from a Facebook Marketplace turned into an armed robbery on Wednesday in northern Barrie.
Officers responded to the robbery, which occurred at the Zehrs plaza on Cundles Road East near Duckworth Street, where two individuals arranged to meet a potential buyer in a public setting. They were attempting to sell a high-end computer graphics card with an approximate value of $5,000.
During an interaction in a store between the sellers and would-be buyer, another individual arrived and attempted to steal the graphics card. Eventually, a struggle ensued, and a newly-arrived individual brandished a firearm and pointed it at the victims.
One of the victims was assaulted and injured in the skirmish, and was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, both suspects fled the store on foot emptyhanded heading westbound.
A black Volkswagen Golf was also seen fleeing the area at a high rate of speed, but its involvement is unconfirmed.
The first suspect is described as a Black male with shoulder-length red/orange dreadlocks, a slim build, roughly 167 centimetres in height, believed to be in his late teens to early 20s. He wore a black hooded coat with grey underarms, a black medical face mask, light grey skinny Nike track pants, and black shoes with white soles.
The second suspect is described as a Black male, with a medium/athletic build, roughly 188 centimetres tall, believed to be in his mid to late 20s. He wore a black hooded sweater under a black puffy coat, a black face covering, black skinny track pants, and white and pink running shoes.
Barrie Police say the investigation is ongoing.
3)OPP investigating pickup truck theft in Gravenhurst theft linking Barrie vehicle
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Julius Hern, January 15, 2026
Bracebridge OPP are investigating a vehicle theft, which came from a commercial property in Gravenhurst on Wednesday.
Just before 2 p.m., officers responded to reports of a pickup truck from the property on Bethune Drive near Winewood Avenue. Upon investigating, police determined that the suspect arrived in a vehicle that was stolen earlier in the day from a Barrie address before transferring to the pickup truck.
Police say the suspect affixed Ontario licence plates that were stolen from a vehicle parked on Hotchkiss Street in Gravenhurst before attending a gas station in town on Highway 11 North. There, he stole a “significant” quantity of fuel and fled the area.
The suspect is described as a white male; approximately 172 centimetres in height; skinny and bald with piercings, wearing dark track pants and a dark orange, black and white winter jacket and white running shoes. He was last seen travelling on Highway 11 North.
The pickup truck is a Grey 2019 Dodge Ram Crew Cab bearing a stolen Ontario licence plate BZ46666.
4)20 vehicles were stolen in Barrie last month, and police urge residents to take extra precautions
Courtesy Barrie360.com
By Ian MacLennan, January 14, 2026
Barrie police say 20 vehicles were stolen in Barrie last month. In light of this surge, police are urging residents to take extra precautions to protect their vehicles from being stolen.
Toyotas, particularly Tundras, were the most targeted vehicles, police said.
“While locking your vehicle doors is essential, it may not always be enough to deter more determined thieves. Whenever possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage with the windows up and doors securely locked. Avoid leaving your vehicle keys near front doors or windows, as thieves can use technology to intercept key fob signals,” police stated in a news release.
To enhance security, the police recommend using additional deterrents such as steering wheel locks, automatic engine shut-off devices, or tracking systems that can help locate your vehicle if it is stolen.
Installing video surveillance, like a doorbell camera, along with motion-sensing exterior lights, can also aid investigations if your vehicle goes missing, police said in their news release.
“Placing key fobs inside a Faraday pouch can add an extra layer of protection, as the pouch can block signals from devices commonly used by thieves to capture key fob data.”
Residents can obtain a free Faraday pouch by visiting the front desk at Barrie Police Headquarters on Fairview Drive. Proof of residence in Barrie, such as a driver’s license or tax bill, is required.
Report any suspicious persons or activity at barriepolice.ca or by calling the Barrie Police Service non-emergent line at 705-725-7025.