Grenville OPP commander facing charges after Gretzky memorabilia theft investigation

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says a Grenville detachment commander is facing charges, after a multi-jurisdictional investigation into the theft of Wayne Gretzky hockey memorabilia.

Eastern Ontario OPP spokesperson Bill Dickson confirms that Detachment Commander of the Grenville OPP Inspector June Dobson, 58, of Brockville, has been charged in the investigation, but says the charges against her are “not related to the larger theft investigation.”

“During the course of the initial investigation, police uncovered evidence, unrelated to the initial investigation, that a separate individual is believed to have committed fraud involving Gretzky memorabilia,” explains Dickson.

Inspector Dobson was on duty when the alleged incidents took place, and is currently on unrelated leave, according to the OPP. 

“We cannot speak to the reasons for her leave due to privacy guidelines,” says Dickson.

He explains that officers found to have broken the law or behavioural standards will be subject to additional disciplinary proceedings, including possible demotion and dismissal, depending on the circumstances.

Brantford police say a 58-year-old Oakville man is also facing charges after its investigation.

Back in August of this year, members of the Gretzky family contacted the Brantford Police Service after discovering various pieces of Gretzky sports memorabilia missing from the residence of Walter Gretzky.

An investigation was launched and officers quickly discovered that several of the missing items had likely been sold to various collectors across Canada.

Due to the multi-jurisdictional nature of the investigation, Brantford police sought the assistance of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the OPP.

A three-month investigation followed, which allowed police to identify specific residences where the stolen property was believed to be located. 

On December 8, officers with the Brantford Police Service, OPP and RCMP, with assistance from the Halton Regional Police Service, executed search warrants at five homes across Ontario and Alberta.

Police successfully recovered various items, including multiple game-used sticks, hockey gloves, pants, jerseys and an award. The estimated value of the recovered property is believed to be valued in excess of $500,000 USD.