OPP MAKES NUMEROUS IMPAIRED RELATED ARRESTS OVER HOLIDAYS
(ESSEX COUNTY, ON) - Fourteen drivers were arrested for impaired related offences in Essex County from December 23, 2005 to January 4, 2026.
On December 23, 2025, at approximately 7:30 pm, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) checkpoint to examine the sobriety of drivers on Main Street in Comber in the Municipality of Lakeshore.
Terry CHURCH, 60-years-old of Wheatley, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 6, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On December 24, 2025, at approximately 8:12 pm, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a single vehicle collision on Gore Road in Harrow of the Town of Essex.
Heather-Marie KEOGH, 42-years-old of Windsor was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Dangerous Operation
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 7, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On December 26, 2025, at approximately 2:20 pm, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on Queen Street in the Municipality of Leamington.
Renee POTVIN, 45-years-old of Leamington was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 8, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On December 27, 2025, at approximately 4:05 pm, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a traffic complaint around Lesperance Road and McNorton Street in the Town of Tecumseh.
Robert HAYES, 55-years-old of Tecumseh was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 7, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On December 27, 2025, at approximately 6:53 pm, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a two-vehicle collision on Rourke Line Road in the Municipality of Lakeshore.
Craig TOWE, 42-years-old of Belle River was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Failure or refusal to comply with demand
- Dangerous Operation
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 9, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On December 27, 2025, at approximately 8:49 pm, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a traffic complaint on Erie Street South in the Municipality of Leamington.
Isak NEUFELD, 40-years-old of Leamington was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code and Liquor Licence Control Act offences:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Failure or refusal to comply with demand
- Mischief - Interfere with lawful use, enjoyment or operation of property - under $5000 (two counts)
- Having care or control of a motor vehicle with open container of liquor
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 15, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On December 28, 2025, at approximately 5:19 pm, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on County Road 34 in the Ruthven area of the Town of Kingsville.
Christopher WATSON, 53-years-old of Pelee Island was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code, Highway Traffic Act and Canadian Cannabis Act offences:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Drive vehicle or boat with cannabis readily available
- Drive without proper rear light - motor vehicle
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 30, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On January 1, 2026, at approximately 9:54 am, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a traffic complaint on Lesperance Road in the Town of Tecumseh.
Stepan POHAIDAK, 51-years-old of Windsor was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Dangerous Operation
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 15, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On January 1, 2026, at approximately 4:09 pm, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a traffic complaint on Marlborough Street East in the Town of Leamington.
Victoria HATHAWAY, 51-years-old of Windsor was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code and Highway Traffic Act offences:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Possession Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (Two counts)
- Having care or control of a motor vehicle with liquor readily available
- Class G1 licence holder - unaccompanied by qualified driver
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 14, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On January 2, 2026, at approximately 6:31 pm, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a traffic complaint on Manning Road in the Town of Tecumseh.
Melki FLORES MARTINEZ, 42-years-old of Windsor was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 11, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On January 2, 2026, at approximately 7:43 pm, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a traffic complaint on County Road 22 near I.C. Roy Drive in the Municipality of Lakeshore.
Todd LARAMIE, 64-years-old of Windsor, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code, Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, and Highway Traffic Act offences:
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Fail to have insurance card
- Fail to surrender permit for motor vehicle
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 15, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On January 3, 2026, at approximately 3:43 am, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a single motor vehicle collision on Highway 401 near the Manning Road exit in the Municipality of Lakeshore.
Iva BIELSKYTE, 19-years-old of Brantford, was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code, Liquor Licence Control Act, and Highway Traffic Act offences:
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Drive motor vehicle with liquor readily available
- Young driver - B.A.C. above zero
- Novice driver - B.A.C. above zero
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 13, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On January 3, 2026, at approximately 7:46 pm, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted a traffic stop on Talbot Street North in the Town of Essex.
Joseph ALBANO, 51-years-old of Windsor was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Operation while impaired - alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired - blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 20, 2026, to answer to the charges.
On January 4, 2026, at approximately 3:26 am, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) investigated a traffic complaint on Tecumseh Road in the Town of Tecumseh.
Jasmin KAHRIMAN, 37-years-old of Windsor was arrested and charged with the following Criminal Code offences:
- Failure or refusal to comply with demand
The accused was scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice - Windsor on January 14, 2026, to answer to the charges.
A 90-day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension (ADLS) and a seven-day vehicle impoundment was initiated as per statute for all charged drivers.