Two people have been charged after trying to sell a vehicle at a Midland area scrap metal yard last month. But the arrest led to myriad other charges for one of the men.
The pair attempted to sell a black Toyota vehicle on Sept. 22, but Ontario Provincial Police say it lacked legal paperwork and had two different licence plates affixed to it
“Through investigation, the two individuals who brought the vehicle onto the scrap yard were located at a local Midland fast food restaurant,” OPP said in a news release.
In relation to this investigation, 35-year-old Jonathan Sylvester of Christian Island has been charged with:
- Trafficking in property obtained by crime
- Possession of property obtained by crime (over $5,000)
OPP say he was also arrested on a warrant for outstanding charges resulting from detachment investigations and charged with:
- Fail to comply probation (two counts)
- Use stolen credit card
- Possession of property obtained by crime (under $5,000)
The second person, 30-year-old Tyler Sylvester, also of Christian Island, has been charged with:
- Trafficking in property obtained by crime
- Possession of property obtained by crime (over $5,000)
Johnathan Sylvester is also facing several unrelated charges stemming from four other incidents — all within a matter of days.
On Oct. 6, he was charged with theft under $5,000 after allegedly stealing a laptop computer from an Ontario Works employee at his Highway 93 workplace.
He is also facing mischief charges following an early morning incident on Oct. 12. Staff at the Canadian Tire Gas Bar on Simcoe County Road 93 contacted the OPP to report an attempted break and enter to the gas bar retail store.
Upon investigation, Jonathan Sylvester was identified as the suspect and charged.
A few hours later on Oct. 12, a Howard Street Midland resident reported his parked vehicle had been entered during the overnight hours and his credit cards and identification were stolen.
During a search after being arrested in regards to a separate investigation Jonathan Sylvester was found to be in possession of the victim's credit cards and was charged with possession of property obtained by crime (under $5,000).
On the morning of Oct. 13, police received a report of a suspicious male at a Fifth Street residence. When police arrived, they could not locate the male, but discovered a child's bike was missing.
With the help of community members the suspicious person was found wearing a heavy long winter coat despite the balmy temperature with a small bicycle; he was observed nearby and eventually was located in the washroom at the Midland Avenue/Bay Street Tim Hortons restaurant.
Officers arrested Jonathan Sylvester and returned to the detachment for a further investigation which revealed a quantity of suspected crack cocaine, pink fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine on his person.
As a result, he was charged with obstructing a police officer, theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime (under $5,000). He was also charged with possession of a Schedule 1 substance (methamphetamine), possession of a Schedule 1 substance (opioid) and possession of a Schedule 1 substance (cocaine)
The accused was released to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice on Nov. 23, 2023
Anyone with information about a property crime is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
