Gene's Case — Criminal Harassment — Police Report

Client:  Gene A., Accused
Complainant:  Karlene R., neighbour
Charge:  criminal harassment (by watching)

Police Report:  The complainant, Karlene R. attended the Rockwood Detachment and provided Police with a video statement regarding ongoing occurrences of harassment by her 71 year old neighbour Gene A.

Karlene R. and Gene A. each own 10 acre lots that are situated across the road from each other on Peace Lane Path in the Town of Peaceville. Peace Lane Path is a private road and is not assumed by the Township. There are seven properties on the private road. All occupants share responsibilities of road's maintenance.

Karlene R. has lived on Peace Lane Path for 20 years. She lives alone on the property since the death of her husband, Robert R., in August 2002.

The accused has lived on Peace Lane Path for 30 years with his wife Karen.

For many years, the accused worked for Robert R. doing odd jobs around his farm. Since Robert R.'s death, the victim has not required the services of the accused. Prior to Robert R.'s death in August 2002, the victim and accused have maintained a neighbourly relationship.

Since November 2002, the victim has had various confrontational encounters with the accused. She has complained of him following her, harassing her guests, taking photos of her, sitting and watching her from his driveway and patrolling the road in front of her house. Area residents believe the accused is the guard of the private road and polices all it's activity.

Karlene R. is worried about the unpredictable behaviour of the accused and is concerned for her own safety.

Wellington County O.P.P. have investigated 4 complaints by the victim and has warned the accused in the past regarding the neighbour disputes. Police have investigated 6 incidents; 3 involving Karlene R. and two calls for service involving Gene A. complaining about low flying O.P.P. planes dropping stones on his house. When Police spoke in person with Gene A., he was under the influence of alcohol.

Constable P*** interviewed five neighbours, witnesses and the complainant Karlene R., obtaining written statements.

Witness Larry G. reported that he has observed the accused watching Karlene R. with field glasses from a burm he built on his property, allowing him to know when she comes and goes from her farm. Larry G. described the situation between the feuding neighbours as volatile. The accused was upset with Larry G. whenever he helped out Karlene R. on her farm.

The accused abuses alcohol and he has a strong dislike for Police.

Investigative Timeline:

-  Death of victim's husband Robert R.

-  Accused complaining to victim that the O.P.P. are doing surveillance on him and dropping stones onto his house from the O.P.P. helicopter, ranting that he hates cops and would like to kill one.

-  Summer 2003, victim's pigs get out of their pen. Accused yelling at the victim about the damage to his property.

-  December 2003, victim had a party at her farm. Accused parked his vehicle across from her driveway, glaring at the guests, angry that they parked on the private road.

-  Summer 2004, accused made several drive by passes with his dump truck at victim's residence lasting about 1 hour.

-  Accused drives up and down private drive surveiling victim's property, travelling 5 - 10 km/hr at times.

-  October and December 2004, victim has children's parties at farm. Accused writes down plates and confronts guests about parking on the private road.

-  Winter 2005, accused intimidates victim by blocking her in her vehicle with his backhoe while plowing road and driving aggressively towards her.

-  April 25 2006, the accused waited for the victim and watched her in her home from his driveway over a 2 hour period.

-  May 2005, the accused confronts the victim's guests blocking the roadway. Alcohol is a factor.

-  May 7 2005, notified police regarding the stalking behaviour.

-  November 2006, the accused shines a light on the victim while in her kitchen and follows her around her property with the beam.

-  March 2007, the accused takes photos of the victim while she is at a neighbour's house.

-  March 2007, the accused tailgates the victim as she drives down the roadway.

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