Woodstock police charge London man with indecent exposure

A 20-year-old London man has been charged with indecent exposure to a minor after a suspect reportedly committed “an indecent act” while driving by two teens near Woodstock’s Oliver Stephens public school.

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The two youth contacted police Tuesday evening to report they were being followed by the driver of a vehicle, police said. The two teens told police the vehicle had slowly passed by the twice while the driver was allegedly committing the “indecent act.”

The responding officers quickly found and arrested the suspect.

Woodstock police also indicated that other people may have witnessed a similar offense or have additional information.

Police describe the driver of the suspect vehicle — a gray 2005 Toyota Corolla — as a white man with short brown hair who was wearing a dark gray shirt and dark sunglasses.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Woodstock police at 519-537-2323 or anonymously via Oxford Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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Woodstock man charged with assault after argument

An argument between two acquaintances allegedly resulted in one man being taken to hospital with a large cut above his eye, Woodstock police say.

On Monday morning, patrol officers responded to reports of a man suffering from a head injury near the area of ​​Blossom Park Road and Devonshire Avenue.

This injury, police alleged, was caused during an argument between two men that ended with one man striking the other in the face with a tree limb.

The injured man was taken to Woodstock Hospital and received stitches for his wound.

A 26-year-old Woodstock man was arrested and charged with assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, obstructing a peace officer and failure to comply with a release order. The man was held in custody to wait for a bail hearing.

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More than 750 charges laid during SWO traffic blitz

Provincial police officers in Southwestern Ontario laid more than 750 charges during a late-September traffic safety blitz.

As part of the Drive Smart: Keep It Safe campaign, officers cracked down on unsafe driving practices from Monday, Sept. 23, to Sunday, Sept. 29. During that span, officers stopped 1,967 vehicles.

Of the roughly 750 charges laid as part of the blitz, 26 were for stunt driving, police said.

That charge carries an immediate 30-day driver’s license suspension and an immediate 14-day roadside vehicle impoundment. Additionally, guilty drivers face a fine that ranges from $2,000 to $10,000, six demerit points, a mandatory driver safety course and a potential jail term of as long as six months.

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Stunt drivers also face a post-conviction driver’s license suspension of one to three years for a first conviction, and two to 10 years for a second offense. A third conviction carries a lifetime driving suspension that can be reduced to 10 years if certain conditions are met. A fourth conviction results in a lifetime driving ban.

During the blitz, officers also stopped and charged 86 drivers of modified vehicles and 597 speeding drivers. Another 76 Criminal Code traffic-related charges were also laid against drivers.

“Together, through The Drive Smart: Keep it Safe traffic safety campaign, we’ve reinforced the fact that safe driving is not just a suggestion, but a responsibility we all share. Let’s continue to put public safety first by saying no to speeding, stunt driving, and unsafe vehicle modifications,” OPP Insp. Mike McConnell said in a release.

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