A 12-year-old boy from Guelph, Ontario, was arrested on March 21, 2026, after police linked him to two separate robberies where bear spray was used as a weapon. The incidents occurred over the weekend and targeted both a teenager and a local business employee.
According to the Guelph Police Service, the first robbery took place around 7 p.m. on March 20, 2026, at a park in the north end of the city. A 14-year-old boy told officers he was punched and threatened with bear spray before his sweater was stolen by an acquaintance.
A second incident happened early the next morning at 1:30 a.m. on March 21, 2026, at a business near York Road and Ontario Street. Police say a youth sprayed a store employee in the face with bear spray and stole candy before fleeing the scene on foot.
Officers located the suspect a short distance away and took him into custody. The 12-year-old faces two counts of robbery and charges for possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and failing to follow existing release orders.
The youth was held in custody to appear at a bail hearing on March 23, 2026. While police continue to investigate these cases, Guelph remains ranked as the eighth-safest community in Canada according to the national Crime Severity Index.
