OPP Recover $137,000 in Stolen Property, Charge Six in Grey Bruce Theft Investigation

A spring rise in break-ins across Grey and Bruce counties has led to six people charged, five search warrants and firearms charges, provincial police say.

Jul 21, 2026

Ontario Provincial Police have charged six people and recovered about $137,000 in property after a property crime investigation across Grey and Bruce counties, the OPP said in a news release Tuesday.

The Grey Bruce Community Street Crime Unit launched the investigation after Grey County, Bruce County and surrounding areas saw a rise in break-and-enter and theft investigations beginning in the spring, according to the OPP. Investigators targeted people they believed were behind a series of property crimes across the region.

Listen: Const. Kody Lyons of the Grey Bruce OPP

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On June 22, officers with the OPP West Region’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement unit, emergency response team and canine unit stopped a stolen pickup truck on the 5th Line in Melancthon Township, the OPP said.

Police said the truck was loaded with stolen property and towing a stolen tractor. Two people were arrested at the scene; a third fled and was arrested a short time later.

Photos provided by Grey Bruce OPP; click to enlarge.

The next day, street crime units from Grey Bruce, Dufferin, Huron Perth, Brant Oxford, Haldimand and Norfolk — assisted by the Grey Bruce OPP detachment and the West Grey Police Service — executed five search warrants under Section 487 of the Criminal Code.

Officers searched a home on Grey Road 4 near Jane Street in Ceylon; a home on Grey Road 14 near Sideroad S in Grey Highlands; two properties on Highway 6 near 18 Sideroad in West Grey; and a property on 6th Line near 18 Sideroad in Melancthon Township.

All six people charged face firearms-related offences. None of the allegations has been proven in court.

John Micks, 35, of Ceylon faces more than 60 charges, the most of any of the accused. They include five counts of break and enter, 10 counts of theft over $5,000, eight counts of theft of a motor vehicle and 13 counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, along with firearms, driving and compliance offences. Arrested June 22, Micks was held for a bail hearing in Owen Sound and remanded into custody.
Alex Friest, 39, of Grey Highlands faces charges including two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, six counts of knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm, and further firearms and compliance offences. Arrested June 22, Friest was held for a bail hearing and released on a court order.
Dearl Vessie, 35, of West Grey faces charges including theft over and under $5,000, theft of a motor vehicle, flight from police, possession of property obtained by crime, and firearms offences. Arrested June 22, Vessie was held for a bail hearing and released on a court order.
David Micks, 57, of Ceylon faces seven counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, three counts of possession under $5,000, five counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm and five counts of knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm. Arrested July 2, David Micks was released and is scheduled to appear in Owen Sound court September 24.
Tawnya Tersigni, 54, of Ceylon faces the same charges as David Micks: seven counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, three counts under $5,000, and five counts each of unauthorized possession of a firearm and knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm. Arrested July 9, Tersigni was released and is scheduled to appear September 24.
Tanisha Miller, 35, of West Grey faces unauthorized possession of a firearm, knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order. Arrested July 8, Miller was released and is scheduled to appear October 8.