Police launch probe after Oxford County Pride crosswalk vandalized

Police are asking members of the public for help identifying the driver of a pickup truck seen doing a burnout on an Oxford county Pride crosswalk.

Police are asking members of the public for help identifying the driver of a pickup truck seen doing a burnout on an Oxford county Pride crosswalk.

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Oxford OPP received a report Thursday of an incident over the weekend at Center Street and Pinkham Street in the town of Drumbo, northeast of Woodstock.

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Police say that some time around 6:30 pm on Sunday, an unknown individual in an older-model red pickup truck was caught on video performing a burnout on a Pride crosswalk, which is painted in rainbow colors as a nod of support to the LGBTQ communiy. The vandalism incident left tire tread marks, police said.

The investigation was ongoing Friday, and police were asking anyone with information, including video footage, to contact the Oxford OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or *677 via cell phone. Anonymous tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or visit online at www.oxfordcrimestoppers.com.

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The incident is the first reported instance of Pride-related vandalism in Oxford county so far this year, after a slew of Pride flag thefts and crosswalk vandalism in 2023.

A newly installed Pride crosswalk in Tillsonburg was vandalized four times in the span of two months, leading to the mayor calling out the “reckless behavior” and saying that the repeated vandalism was concerning for the “entire community.”

Pride flags were repeatedly stolen or vandalized in Norwich last year, including both in June and in August.

London man charged after break-in at a business

A London man is charged with breaking and entering after an incident at a west-end business early Friday, police said.

A business owner called 911 around 12:15 am Friday to report seeing a suspect on video surveillance breaking into his business near Commissioners Road West and Boler Road, London police said.

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A description of the male was provided to police.

Officers arrived and found broken window on the front of the business.

The suspect was located and arrested as he attempted to exit the back of the business. No injuries were reported. The exact location of the business was not disclosed by police.

A 48-year-old London man is charged with breaking and entering with intent.

He remained in custody and was scheduled to appear in London court Friday in relation to the charge, police said.

Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to call London police at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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