Two young boys, ages 12 and 13, have been charged with robbery after they approached, threatened, and assaulted another boy and stole his backpack and basketball near Victoria Road North and Brant Avenue in Guelph on Friday evening, June 12, 2026. The victim was confronted while walking in the area, and officers quickly tracked down the suspects. The stolen property was later discarded in a portable toilet nearby, and officers arrested the pair a short time later.
According to the Guelph Police Service, the victim reported being approached by the two accused and was threatened before being assaulted. His backpack and basketball were taken, and both pieces of property were later found discarded in a portable toilet. Police located and arrested the pair in the area a short time later.
The accused are set to appear in court on July 22, 2026, facing robbery charges. The incident took place in the Victoria North neighbourhood, a quiet mature residential area near schools and shopping. The rapid arrest and recovery of the stolen property have brought some relief, though the event has shaken neighbours and families in the area.
The charges come amid a noticeable rise in violent crime in Guelph. According to the Guelph Police Service’s 2024 Annual Report, crimes against the person increased by 10.2 percent compared to the previous year, and robberies specifically jumped by 20.2 percent, from 41 cases to 51. In March 2026, a separate 12-year-old boy was charged with two counts of robbery and possessing weapons for a dangerous purpose after using bear spray during two robberies that happened hours apart.
Under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, youth aged 12 to 17 can be charged with criminal offences, and robbery is treated as a serious violent offence. Police continue to encourage anyone with information about this case to contact them using occurrence number GU26038658.
