By Staff

October 27th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has made an arrest and laid multiple charges after a human trafficking investigation in Oakville.

Frank Yeboah of Burlington: charged with Trafficking in Persons

On Monday October 25, 2021, investigators arrested 25 year-old Frank Yeboah of Burlington. He has been charged with the following:

• Trafficking in Persons
• Adult Procuring
• Sexual Assault (x2)
• Extortion

Yeboah was held in custody pending a bail hearing in Milton.

Police believe there may be additional victims and ask that anyone with information contact the Human Trafficking Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 5331.

The Halton Regional Police Service firmly believes that every person has the right to feel safe in our community.

Victims of violence and/or sexual assault and witnesses are encouraged to contact the Halton Regional Police Service. The following is a list of valuable support services and resources in our region for victims of violence and/or sexual assault:

• Halton Regional Police Service Victim Services Unit 905-825-4777 ext. 5239 or by email at VictimServices@haltonpolice.ca
• Nina’s Place Sexual Assault and Domestic Assault Care Centre 905-336-4116 or 905-681-4880
• Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) 905-875-1555 (24-hour crisis line)
• Radius Child & Youth Services 905-825-3242 (Oakville) or 1-855-744-9001
• Kid’s Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 (24-hour crisis line)
• THRIVE Counselling 905-845-3811 or 905-637-5256

Signs / Indicators of Human Trafficking

• Not being allowed to speak for themselves;
• Not having control of their own money or cellphone;
• Suddenly having a new or second cell phone with a secret number;
• Being controlled by others and escorted at all times;
• Not being allowed to contact family or friends;
• Withdrawing from family and friends;
• Providing rehearsed answers to casual questions;
• Being secretive about their activities;
• Showing signs of abuse, such as bruising, cigarette burns, fractures, etc.
• Having a new boyfriend, girlfriend or friend who they won’t introduce to friends/family; and
• Having new items (clothing, jewelry etc.) outside their financial means.

What Should I Do if I Think Someone is a Victim of Trafficking?

If there is immediate danger or if you suspect someone is being trafficked, call 9-1-1.

You may also call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010.

The Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline is a confidential, multilingual service, operating 24/7 to connect victims and survivors with social services, law enforcement, and emergency services, as well as receive tips from the public. The hotline uses a victim-centered approach when connecting human trafficking victims and survivors with local emergency, transition, and/or long-term supports and services across the country, as well as connecting callers to law enforcement where appropriate.

By Staff

October 15th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Investigators with the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) Street Crime Unit in Burlington have made three arrests and seized multiple weapons including a shotgun.

Several of those weapons could do some very serious damage.

On October 13, 2021, officers executed a search warrant at a residence near downtown Burlington. As a result of this search, the following items have been seized (see attached photo):

• 1 12 Gauge Shotgun
• 24 shotgun shells and 1 small calibre pistol round
• 1 machete
• 1 hatchet
• 1 flick knife
• 5 grams of methamphetamine
• Drug trafficking paraphernalia (scales, phones, packaging)
• $890.00 Canadian currency
• 1 stolen licence plate
• 1 motorcycle

Police have also made three arrests in connection with this drug investigation.

A 40 year old male from Burlington has been arrested and charged with:

• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Tampering with a Serial Number of Firearm
• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
• Careless Use/ Storage of a Firearm
• Careless Use/ Storage of Ammunition
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (x2)
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (x4)
• Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
• Possession of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine (x2)
• Breach Firearm Prohibition Order (x2)

A 38 year old female of Burlington has been arrested and charged with:

• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Tampering with a Serial Number of Firearm
• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
• Careless Use/ Storage of a Firearm
• Careless Use/ Storage of Ammunition
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (x4)
• Possession of a Prohibited Weapon
• Possession of a Controlled Substance: Methamphetamine

A 33 year old male of Burlington has been arrested and charged with:

• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Tampering with a Serial Number of Firearm
• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
• Careless Use/ Storage of a Firearm
• Careless Use/ Storage of Ammunition
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
• Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (x2)
• Fail to comply – Being on an Undertaking Form

All three accused were held in custody pending a bail hearing on October 14, 2021.

Names of the arrested were not released by police – unusual

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Scott Heyerman of the 3 District Street Crime Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 2342.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

By Staff

September 10^th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

The Halton Regional Police today issued a photograph identifying a suspect wanted in a shooting in the City of Burlington on September 9, 2021.

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of David Ryan Lavoie (37) of Hamilton.  He is wanted for the charge of Attempt Murder.

David Ryan Lavoie – suspect in an attempted murder.

David Lavoie is a white male, and bald with a short, stubbly beard. He is 5’10” tall with a muscular build. He was last seen wearing a black shirt (possibly a tank top) and grey pants.

If you see David Lavoie, DO NOT APPROACH, and call police immediately.

The shooting took place at a residence in the area of Maple Crossing Boulevard shortly after 6 pm on September 9, 2021. One victim was transported to hospital and is currently in stable condition. We can confirm that the victim and the suspect are known to one another.

Residents can continue to expect a police presence in the area  while they hold the scene for the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident who has not already spoken with police is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316.

Anyone with surveillance or dash cam footage in the area of Maple Crossing Boulevard and Maple Avenue between the hours of 5:30 – 7:30 pm on September 9th is also asked to contact police.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

By Ryan O’Dowd: Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

August 26th, 2021

BURLINGTON, ON

Emily Brown is running a unique platform as the first Burlington candidate to bring gun rights and crime to the forefront of her concerns.

Brown has been unable to make the time to speak to the Gazette; we will be profiling the candidate and her campaign as comprehensively as we can with the resources available until we have the opportunity to actually interview the candidate.

As the Conservative candidate for Burlington she has appeared on conservative-centric youth shows and repeatedly hit out at the Trudeau administration for failing to be tough on crime and “attacking” law-abiding gun owners.

Emily Brown has won awards at numerous levels – a respected member of the gun community.

Brown, a long-time sport shooter, sits on the Board of the Ontario Provincial Sharpshooting Association, the Ontario Council of Shooters, the Canadian Trapshooting Association, as well as the Canadian University Shooting Federation, and has been endorsed by the National Firearms Associations as an advocate for the gun owning community.

Brown has lived in Burlington for the eight years and teaches mathematics at the Pilon school where her focus is on Business Math, Business Calculus and algebra.

In Twitter exchanges, Brown claimed “she is the gun lobby” and unequivocally stated gun control does not impact criminals.
“I have been a sport shooter for over 47 years. I AM the gun lobby. I know how ineffective gun control, bans, more legislation will be. Stand down.” Brown tweeted in a dispute on November 13th, 2020.

“The Liberal government and particularly this ‘public safety’ Minister have left Canadians unsafe in their homes and communities. Gun control does NOT impact criminals. Time to get tough on crime!” Brown tweeted on December 16th, 2020.

The Halton Regional Police Service announced recently that Halton region has maintained its position of having the lowest Crime Severity Index (CSI) of all Canadian municipalities with a population of 100,000 or more.

Brown stands with Conservative leader Erin O’Toole on repealing Bill C-21 and the OIC firearm bans, both have been bashed as punishing law-abiding gun owners by the Conservative representatives.

O’Toole objected to Trudeau’s proposed gun legislation as an attack on the rights and freedoms of Canadians saying it was a fact that the legislation would not save a single life. O’Toole proposed steering the conversation around guns to those illegally purchased and used this as an example of Trudeau being divisive, Brown has done the same.

Dismissing any effectiveness of gun owner legislation Brown instead has raised concerns about 3D printed firearms and firearms smuggled across the border. While Canadians share Brown’s concerns about smuggling most don’t have qualms with the banning of “assault-style weapons,”( a term O’Toole dismissed as “misleading” and “loaded,” but the one used for the available polling data) in a Global News poll from 2020. 9% of Canadians disagreed with the ban and an equal number strongly disagreed with the ban while over half strongly agreed with the ban and a total of about 80% agreed with the ban on some level.

Passionate about guns, Brown describes herself as the gun lobbyist in Ontario

Brown is passionate about gun owner rights but it remains to be seen how interested voters will be in this as a primary concern of their potential representative.

Brown speaks as well to a rise of crime in Burlington as well as human trafficking, calling it “rampant.”

“Human trafficking is rampant in Burlington, and happens right under citizens’ noses. I will be addressing it as the federal Conservative candidate here, and am happy to see your focus on it too. Conservatives at work for Canadians!” tweeted Brown on May 20, 2021.

The question of how important Burlington citizens see Brown’s focus on guns will likely extend to her safety concerns for the city. In a city often ranked among Canada’s safest citizens surely want to keep it that way but may have trouble identifying with Brown’s concerns, crime is increasing in Burlington at a moderate level.   The Halton Regional Police Service achieved an all-time high Weighted Clearance Rate of 56.41 per cent. This score is tops among Ontario’s ‘Big 12’ police services.

Brown’s claims about rampant child trafficking in Burlington could not be verified.

Brown wants to restore Canada’s international reputation.

Brown says she decided to run because she is really concerned about the state of Canada.

Among her other biggest issues are the economy on which she has reiterated O’Toole’s party message to balance the budget within ten years and championed the need for well-paying and reliable jobs for Canadians while supporting small businesses. Brown says when people earn good money they will be willing to spend which promotes activity and growth in the economy.

Divisiveness is a key concern, Brown says this is because she has friends who talk about separation as an option.

Brown also wants to restore Canada’s international reputation. She has hit out at Canada taking vaccines from third world countries through COVAX, a program in which her Burlington opponent, Liberal representative and Minister for International Development, Karina Gould is directly involved.

Emily Brown is a professor of Mathematics at the Pilon School of Business, Sheridan College, and obtained her Master’s degree in Calgary.

We hope to speak with the candidate soon and hear her expand on her platform so we can provide a more comprehensive picture.

By Staff

August 22, 2015

BURLINGTON, ON

Halton Regional Police reported the largest drug bust in their history earlier this

The police reported on the number of raids they made and called the joint police force Project Icarus.

More than a dozen arrests were made and all kinds of evidence gathered.

There was a lot of evidence on display.

The Gazette sent a reporter out to gather details at the media event the police held and published a report.

The following day the police contacted the Gazette and asked (instructed) us to remove one of the names from the list of those arrested explaining that the person was subject to 517 publication ban.

We responded asking: What is a 517 publication ban ?

Regional Police Inspector Constantini did most of the explaining on the details of the police raids.

The police responded with:
A section 517 publication ban is a temporary ban which extends until the accused is discharged after the preliminary inquiry or the trial is completed, subject to any other court orders.

The purpose of the ban is to preserve the rights of the defendant to a fair trial, and the presumption of innocence. Further, the ban prevents public dissemination of information or evidence so that jurors make their decisions based only on admissible evidence presented during the trial. It is also intended to maintain the integrity of the evidence of any potential witness who may be called to testify in the case.

Members of the public and media are permitted to view and photocopy court files covered by a section 517 publication ban but, again, details covered by the ban cannot be published in any document, or broadcast or transmitted in any way until the ban ends.

All publication bans are noted in the court record. The Information or charging document (in the Ontario Court of Justice) or Indictment (in the Superior Court of Justice) is endorsed with “PUBLICATION BAN” and the appropriate section number of the Criminal Code is noted. Ministry staff are instructed to inform members of the public and the media wishing to have access to the court record that the matter is subject to a publication ban.

This should be an interesting trial when it takes place.

Related news story:

Biggest drug bust in Regional Police history.