5 days ago
Driver extorts cash following Guelph collision
A 17-year-old was forced to give a stranger $1,000 after a crash in Guelph.
The Guelph Police Service said the teen was driving his father's vehicle on Gordon Street and Stone Road on Friday afternoon.
As he drove up to a red light, his foot slipped off the brake and the vehicle 'bumped' the car ahead of him.
Police said the other driver got out of his vehicle and, yelling at the teen, accused him of causing $1,000 in 'internal damage.'
'When the teen asked if they could resolve the matter without involving police, the man said he would not report it if the teen sent him $1,000,' a media release stated. 'The teen was emotionally overwhelmed at the situation and handed his phone to the man, who transferred himself $1,000 from the teen's bank account.'
On Monday, the mother of the 17-year-old found out what happened and called police.
Officers then contacted the driver, who later agreed to return the money.
'He was educated about how to report a collision and the criminal charge of extortion,' the media release said.
The man's vehicle, police added, appeared to be in poor condition and there was no visible damage due to the collision.
