OPP provide update on ‘complex’ emergency alert sent last week

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is providing an update to the public regarding an emergency alert situation that unfolded in Lanark County last week. 

On the morning of Friday, Feb. 10, Lanark County OPP received information from the Smiths Falls Police Service (SFPS) regarding a stolen vehicle.

Officers were able to locate the vehicle travelling northbound on Highway 15 in Beckwith Township, and spike belt was utilized to stop the vehicle just outside Smiths Falls. The driver, Dale Lewis Scott, 26, of Drummond-North Elmsley Township, was the lone occupant of the vehicle and he was arrested at the scene.

Scott was initially charged with the following: 

• Dangerous operation
• Flight from peace officer
• Operation while prohibited
• Possession of stolen property obtained by crime

Following further investigation, he faces the following additional charges:

• Public mischief
• Mischief under $5000
• Operation while prohibited under the Criminal Code (two more counts)
• Fail to comply with probation order (three counts)
• Driving while under suspension (two counts)

Meantime, during the investigation into the stolen vehicle, Lanark OPP received information that two additional men, armed with a handgun, had been in the vicinity of the Beckwith Recreation Complex on 9th Line. According to police, both men have a history of violence and multiple criminal convictions, so the investigation into the stolen vehicle initially started with officers attempted to locate these two individuals. 

It was believed the two men were at large in Lanark County or Sharbot Lake so in the interest of public safety, the OPP posted warnings on social media and issued an emergency alert to notify residents of a potential threat. Public safety emergency alerts are only issued when there is an ongoing, urgent and significant threat to life, as a way to share critical and potentially life-saving information with the public quickly.

“One of the criteria for an emergency alert is that the threat is neither isolated nor contained,” said the OPP in a release. “Because the suspects were at large, the emergency alert was issued to surrounding townships and municipalities. The OPP has an obligation to balance the public's right to know and the individual's right to privacy. The names and photos of the suspects were released to the public to ensure that those in the area could take appropriate steps to protect their safety.”

Once the emergency alert was activated, an extensive search of the area was immediately launched, involving OPP Aviation, Tactics and Rescue Unit, Emergency Response Team, Canine and Lanark OPP officers. 

During the ensuing investigation and search, the OPP determined that there was no longer an ongoing, urgent and imminent threat to public safety in the area and the alert was lifted, however, there are still warrants out for the arrest of the two individuals, who both remain at large. 

Police advise that if you see these individuals, do not approach them. Anyone with information regarding these individuals should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

The OPP is also thanking the public for cooperating and being patient during the active investigation. 

“Our top priority is always your safety,” said the OPP in a news release. “We appreciate the steps taken to protect yourself during this fluid, dynamic and complex investigation.”