Four youths have been arrested for mischief at the soccer complex.

Over the past several weeks, the Owen Sound Police Service had received numerous complaints about a dark blue Pontiac Sunfire driving recklessly and doing 'donuts' in vacant parking lots throughout the city. Reports had also come in from city staff and employees of the Kiwanis Soccer Complex that the same vehicle had been seen entering the locked roadway into the Complex area and doing the same while inside the property.

On October 3rd, 2017, the suspect vehicle again gained entry to the soccer complex during daylight hours by cutting the lock at the gate with bolt cutters. Once inside, the youths broke into an equipment shed on the property, making a mess of the equipment by throwing and kicking items all around. The youths further cut a lock and chain securing a ladder, which they leaned up to the main building and gained access to the roof. Additional damage was done when the vehicle the youths were operating drove on several of the soccer fields causing ruts and destruction of the grass.

On October 4th, 2017, Police attended the area and located the suspect vehicle who had returned to the Complex for the second time that same day. The youths in the vehicle were arrested for the string of mischief incidents, however they are unable to be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Due to having no prior Police involvement, the youths were what is called 'Diverted', meaning they are required to participate in a Community Justice Program as part of an extra judicial measure outside of the regular court process. Successful completion of the Community Justice Program for youths will mean that no criminal charges will be laid for these offences.

All youths were released from custody to their parents.

source: media release, Owen Sound Police