OPP, local police find stolen vehicle in Rideau River while searching for missing men

Police are searching the Rideau River at Lower Reach Park on Thursday in Smiths Falls as a part of an ongoing investigation into two missing person cases.

According to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), members of its Underwater Search and Recovery Unit are on scene. No roads are impacted and officials do not know how long the operation will take.

In an update just before 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, officials said divers recovered a vehicle from the river. There were no human remains in the vehicle and it was reported stolen in the 90s. The investigation into the stolen car will continue, officers said.

There are two missing person cases that remain unsolved in the area. The river operation follows an extensive ground search in July for the men who have been missing for over a year.

Lawrence Bertrim, who would now be 44, was last seen on Sept. 30, 2022, in downtown Smiths Falls. The Smiths Falls Police Service (SFPS) initially began a missing person investigation and requested assistance from OPP in December 2022. 

Robbie Thomson, who would now be 35, was reported missing Oct. 19, 2023. It’s believed he went missing sometime between Oct. 12 and 18 of that year.

Police said there are rumours and misinformation being spread regarding the ongoing investigations.

“We continue to hear stories about disturbing details, but no one has come forward to investigators with any first-hand information,” Jennifer Patton, OPP detective inspector said previously. “Rumours are not evidence and cannot be used in court.”

 While it’s not confirmed the two cases are connected, investigators aren’t ruling out the possibility.

With files from CityNews Ottawa’s Alex Black.