NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA OPP
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The Orillia Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has arrested and charged a male after a string of thefts from vehicles in Orillia and Coldwater.
On May 05, 2020, unauthorized credit card transactions were reported to the Orillia OPP. The transactions were made at an Orillia business and police obtained surveillance video to assist in the identification of the male suspect.
Late in the evening on May 07, 2020, a concerned citizen in Coldwater called the Orillia OPP and reported seeing a male going from vehicle to vehicle, looking inside and checking the doors.
A description was given to police and a male matching that description was located a short while later. After a brief investigation at the scene, officers arrested the male and identified the suspect as the same male from the previous occurrence.
As a result of both investigations, Joseph Teschner, age 29, of Coldwater is charged with:
- Use Credit Card Data, contrary to Section 342(3) of the Criminal Code
- Theft Under $5000, contrary to Section 334(b) of the Criminal Code
- Two counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, contrary to Section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking, contrary to Section 145(4)(a) of the Criminal Code and
- Two counts of Fail to Comply with Probation Order, contrary to Section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code
The accused was released on a Form 10 Undertaking and was set to appear on July 14, 2020 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Orillia.
In the early morning on May 09, 2020, an alert employee at an Orillia business, contacted police to report that a male was attempting to purchase items using different cards which were suspected to be stolen. The same accused was located and, following further investigation, was arrested and charged with:
- Theft Under $5000, contrary to Section 334(b) of the Criminal Code
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, contrary to Section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
- Fail to Comply with Probation Order, contrary to Section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code
The accused was held for a bail hearing and is set to appear on May 10, 2020 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Newmarket.
The Orillia OPP want to remind the public of the importance of locking car doors at all times. To further protect your property, park your vehicle in a well-lit area, consider installing video equipment to record your property and don't leave valuables in your vehicles. Items that are commonly targeted are sunglasses, loose change, wallets and small electronics. It only takes a few seconds for someone to enter and search your unlocked vehicle.
The Orillia OPP is committed to serving our province by protecting its citizens, upholding the law and preserving public safety. If you have any information about crime in our community please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
You can submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com if you have any information on this crime or any other crime. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.
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