POLICE IN HUNTSVILLE INVESTIGATING SNOWMOBILE THEFT AND PAIR OF SEPARATE IMPAIRED DRIVING CHARGES
LAKE OF BAYS — Police in Huntsville are investigating the theft of a snowmobile and two impaired driving charges.
They say the theft north east of the town off Hwy. 60 occurred sometime between January 10-19, 2026 from and address on Fieldale Road in Lake of Bays Township in the Bella Lake area.
The stolen Polaris snowmobile is described as a grey 2020 Polaris Assault 800, bearing Ontario license plate 2AT846.
The investigation is ongoing and the OPP would like to hear from anyone with knowledge or video surveillance of the area. Contact the OPP detachment at 705-789-5551 or 1-888-310-1122. And refer to case number E260083534.
You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.crimestoppers.com. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, and you will remain anonymous. You will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.
They say to prevent snowmobile theft, store snowmobile in a locked garage or shed where available, use heavy-duty chains to secure them to immovable objects, and remove keys, documents, and valuables. When traveling, use trailer tongue locks, wheel locks, and keep sleds in well-lit areas. Taking advantage of technology, using GPS tracking devices would assist is recovering the snowmobile.
Pair of impaired driving charges
Meanwhile, they have charged two men with impaired vehicle operation.
On Friday, January 30 at 10:30 p.m., the OPP received a call for service about a suspected intoxicated male attempting to leave a residence on Walker Lake Drive, Lake of Bays Township.
They were informed that a male was intoxicated and threatening to leave the residence after a verbal argument ensued over political views with another person at the location.
Officers located the vehicle travelling on Hwy. 60 and conducted a vehicle stop.
Police say the driver was suspected of having alcohol in his body and they demanded the driver provide a breath sample into an approved screening device.
The driver registered a fail.
As a result of the investigation, Brandon Houston, 46, of Collingwood, has been charged with: Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
Houston was released from custody with a court date of February 24, 2026, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge.
He was also issued a 90-day Administrative Driver’s License Suspension and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.
A day later, on Saturday January 31, officers observed an orange Toyota pick-up truck travelling West Road.
The vehicle caught officers’ attention as they said it swerved lane to lane and was being operated erratically, even hitting a snow bank along the roadway.
Upon stopping the vehicle, officers spoke with the driver and detected an odour of alcohol on the driver’s breath.
Officers formed a reasonable suspicion that the male was driving after consuming alcohol and he later registered a fail on the roadside approved screening device.
As a result of the investigation, police charged Jackson Watt, 29, of Huntsville, with: Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus); and Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs.
