Masked suspects allegedly disrupt Chatham party; drug charges laid

A member of the Chatham-Kent Police Service seen in Chatham, Ont. on April 10, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

Chatham-Kent police say uninvited, masked suspects crashed a Chatham party, leading to a weapons investigation and drug charges.

On Saturday at 1:55 a.m., officers responded to a report of a weapons incident at a residence on Dillon Road in Chatham.

Officers arrived at the residence to find a large end-of-summer party attended by youths.

Upon arrival, police were informed by partygoers that individuals at the party were armed, prompting immediate action. Police say the suspects, described as wearing ski masks, had reportedly arrived uninvited and instigated several disturbances.

Police say witnesses indicated that knives were drawn on several individuals, and a black handgun was observed falling from one suspect’s clothing.

The suspects were not known to the hosts, and it was believed they had learned about the party through social media.

Police say after the property owner confronted the suspects and asked them to leave, they left the area in a silver vehicle before the police arrived.

At 2:28 a.m., while interviewing witnesses, the vehicle returned to the area. Officers took immediate action and conducted a high-risk traffic stop on the suspect vehicle.

The vehicle was found to be occupied by two men, who were detained for investigative purposes.

During a search of the vehicle, police discovered a bag containing a quantity of individually packaged controlled substances, along with a scale and packaging materials.

Both 17-year-old Chatham males were arrested for possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking and transported to police headquarters. They were later released on a Form 10 with a future court date set for Oct. 15.

Police say various other reports stemming from this gathering are currently on-going. Anyone with information is asked to contact CKPS at 519-352-1234.