Vandalism puts OPP cruisers out of service in Ingersoll

[Michael Jack]

Ontario Provincial Police say two police cruisers were damaged in Ingersoll over the weekend.

The vehicles were vandalized at the OPP detachment on Mutual Street, east of Ingersoll’s main strip, between 4 p.m. on June 27 and 6 p.m. on June 28, OPP Const. Randi Crawford said on Wednesday.

Although she wouldn’t say how the cruisers were damaged because police “want people to come forward” and are “trying to gather some credible sources,” Crawford stated the vandalism is extensive enough to sideline the vehicles.

“I can say the amount of damage that was done would take the vehicles out of commission, so therefore they weren’t drivable,” Crawford said.

The cost of the damage is still under investigation, she said, but that’s only part of the problem.

“Damage to cruisers doesn’t just affect the cruiser itself,” Crawford said. “It affects potential public safety because we won’t be able to get to help someone in need.”

It’s not known yet how many people were involved in vandalizing the cruisers, Crawford said. Officers were still canvassing the neighbourhood for video from the time period, she said.

“If there are witnesses, we’re looking for those people to come forward, and obviously, if someone wants to confess to their mistakes and come forward, we’d be happy to address those as well,” Crawford said.

Ontario Provincial Police are asking anyone with information, tips or relevant video footage to contact them at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers of Oxford at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

bwilliams@postmedia.com

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