- March 24, 2025
Total calls for service – Belleville Police responded to 184 calls for service between 5:00 am on March 21, 2025 to 5:00 am on March 24, 2025.
Observation by plain clothes police officer leads to multiple charges
On the 21st of March at 10:20am, a plain clothes Belleville Police officer was in the city’s west end conducting an unrelated Bail Compliance check. While doing so, the officer observed a vehicle known to them and the owner in the back seat. The owner was known to be on house arrest conditions. The officer followed the vehicle and observed the driver as a person they know to be a prohibited driver. The officer requested the assistance of uniform patrol in stopping the vehicle. During the traffic stop, officers located suspected cocaine in the vehicle. As a result, all four of the vehicle occupants were arrested without incident. Following the police investigation, police charged the following people:
- Cecil Merkley, 31-years-old of Belleville was charged with possession of a schedule I substance contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, breach of probation, driving while disqualified under the Criminal Code and numerous Highway Traffic Act offences
- Tyler Watson, 39-years-old of no fixed address was charged with possession of a schedule I substance contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act and breach of probation
- Lorri Betts, 57-years-old of Belleville was charged with possession of a schedule I substance contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act and two counts of breach of probation
- Mary Hennick, 36-years-old of Belleville was charged with possession of a schedule I substance contrary to the Controlled Drug and Substances Act and numerous Highway Traffic Act offences
Merkley, Watson and Betts were all released on an Undertaking. Hennick was held for a bail hearing.
Public Intoxication
On the 23rd of March at 12:30am, police were called to a north end establishment for a male causing a disturbance and trying to start fights with people. Police located the 32-year-old man who was heavily intoxicated. He was arrested for being intoxicated in a public place, held until sober and issued a Provincial Offence Notice.
Assault
On the 23rd of March at 1:49pm, police responded to a residence in the city’s west end after a 3rd party had contacted police. Police attended and learned that a female had been assaulted. There were no reported physical injuries. As a result of the investigation, a 34-year-old male from Belleville was arrested and charged with domestic assault and breach of probation. The male was held in custody for a bail hearing.
