Apprehension at Mill Creek

August 28th 2025

2:00pm

 

Saugeen Shores Police responded to a call in relation to an Indecent Act on a Port Elgin Rail Trail. Officers attended and encountered a male who was in an obvious state of crisis. The male was swinging a large branch around and was acting erratic with incoherent speech. While officers attempted to speak with him he took off on foot southbound.

 

Officers pursued the male on foot and by vehicle as he continued through residential backyards, trails and wooded areas.

 

Staff members of the Town of Saugeen Shores flagged officers down and indicated the male had entered the bush east of the Port Elgin Cemetery. Responding officers entered the bush area on foot and located the male down a steep embankment at the edge of Mill Creek where he continued to act in a erratic and concerning manner. He removed his clothing, entered the river and began picking up and dropping large rocks and items from the river floor.

 

De-escalation tactics were used and ineffective due to the males current state of crisis. Officers were able to go hands on with the male to attempt to apprehend him under the Mental Health Act. At that time a prolonged struggle ensued on the riverbank and a conductive energy weapon was deployed. De-escalation tactics were continued but remained ineffective. The struggle continued until officers were finally able to safely restrain the individual.

 

A request was made for Paramedics, Saugeen Shores Fire Department and additional Police resources to attend the area to assist in the apprehension and to safely extract the male from the ravine. Co-ordinates were obtained through the What3Words app.

 

The male was transported to the Southampton Hospital for a mental health assessment. Two officers sustained minor injuries.

 

Thank you to the Town Employees who assisted in this matter, the Owen Sound Communication center who helped to co-ordinate responding services, the Paramedics who attended and ensured everyone was safe, the Fire department who assisted in extraction, the staff at the Southampton Hospital who took care of our community member and our officers and the additional police resources who came to assist.

 

Media Relations Officer

Constable S.GORDON

Saugeen Shores Police Service