Ontario farmer charged with fraud and mischief in theft case

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Published: May 12, 2025

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Ontario farmer charged with fraud and mischief in theft case

A two-year investigation has led to charges against a Huron County farmer who had alleged that 45,000 chicks were stolen from his farm.

In April 2023 the farmer had made a report that 30,000 15-day-old chicks had gone missing from his Line 17, South Huron farm. The man subsequently made another report claiming that an additional 15,000 chicks had been stolen, totaling more than $139,000 in financial losses.

Following an investigation, Ontario Provincial Police have charged 41-year-old Henk Veldman with fraud over $5,000 and public mischief.

The whereabouts of the chicks was never determined, and police believe Veldman ‘disposed of’ the birds himself.

He is scheduled to appear in court in Goderich on May 26.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or 519-482-1677.

About the author

Sarah McGoldrick

Sarah McGoldrick

Reporter

Sarah McGoldrick is a reporter with Glacier FarmMedia focusing on current events and agronomy. She has more than two decades of experiencing covering rural and agricultural affairs, garnering several Canadian Community Newspaper Association awards and Ontario Community Newspaper Association awards. Along with being an avid outdoor enthusiast, she is the founder of the Life Outdoors Show, held annually in Wellington County.

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