SIU drops investigation of Kitchener ice cream thief hurt in custody
Posted Nov 11, 2025 04:20:44 AM.
Last Updated Nov 11, 2025 09:53:35 AM.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has cancelled its case about an alleged ice cream thief who suffered a serious injury while in custody at the courthouse in Kitchener.
The SIU said the 40-year-old man was arrested on the morning of Aug. 27, on the sidewalk outside the courthouse, because he was suspected of having stolen ice cream from a business earlier in the day.
He also turned out to be the subject of a bench warrant after he failed to appear in court and was arrested.
The accused was back in the cells at the courthouse later for a bail hearing.
The province’s police watchdog said that, based on security video, while this man was in the cell, he fell asleep on the bench with his feet up and fell off, hitting his head on the floor.
The agency said the man never mentioned the fall to the special constables, nor did he ask for medical help, but later in hospital he was diagnosed with a serious injury.
The SIU statement said the agency has no jurisdiction over special constables at courthouses, and there were no Waterloo regional police officers present when the injury happened.
The statement concluded, “Being apparent that no police officer was responsible for the man’s injury, the file has been closed.”
