 By Staff
May 30, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The City of Burlington, Halton District and Halton Catholic District School Boards, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association and the Ministry of Transportation, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) will officially kick-off its Distracted Driving Pledge (#TextULater) pilot campaign.
Starting Monday, June 5, HRPS High School Liaison Officers will visit high schools throughout Burlington, encouraging students to take the #TextULater Pledge and challenging others to do the same.
 Deputy Chief Nishan Duraiappah has always worked well with the high school crowd – hopefully he will be doing some of the teaching. Deputy Chief Nish Duraiappah, Sergeant Jared McLeod, Burlington District Response Team and Initiative Creator and the community partners, including the City of Burlington, school boards, agencies and high school students are going to be involved in this one – a full Monty from everyone
The Regional police have always been able to work with high school students and explain the very real consequences of their behavior.
 Two Nelson high school students do their best to stay on the green line wearing Fatal Vision goggles during a Halton Regional Police RIDE program. A number of years ago the HRPS worked with Nelson high school students demonstrating the effect alcohol had on their ability to respond to what was going on around them – making it very very clear that driving wasn’t really possible with alcohol above the limit in their bodies.
Let’s hope they can do as well with getting the distracted driving message across – then of course there is the marijuana message once that product is legal.
 By Staff
May 28, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service announced that a 16-year member of the force was arrested today and is facing Breach of Trust, Theft, and Obstruct Justice charges following a seven-month internal and external investigation.
In the fall of 2016, a drug exhibit anomaly was discovered by members of the HRPS Drug and Morality Unit. As a result, a comprehensive internal audit of all drug exhibits seized by the Halton Regional Police Service commenced. The audit revealed that approximately 30 exhibits had been tampered with. In all instances, the exhibits involved prescription or illicit opioids, the most common example of which is OxyContin.
The exact number of exhibits affected will be a matter for disclosure during the court process.
As a result of this information, Chief of Police Stephen Tanner contacted the Toronto Police Service in November, 2016 and requested they undertake an independent, external criminal investigation relating to the exhibits. This common practice in matters pertaining to internal criminal investigations ensures an impartial and transparent investigation.
 Staff Sergeant Brad Murray. The Toronto Police Service agreed to assist in this matter and began their criminal investigation in December, 2016. Their investigation has concluded and has resulted in today’s arrest of Staff Sergeant Brad Murray. Staff Sergeant Murray was a member and supervisor of the Service’s Drug and Morality Unit from January, 2013 to May, 2016, during which time the criminal offences are alleged to have occurred.
Staff Sergeant Murray has been formally charged with the following:
• Breach of Trust x2
• Theft Under x2
• Obstruct Justice
A First appearance court date has been set for June 27th 2017, at the Milton Provincial Courthouse.
“Staff Sergeant Murray has been suspended from duty with pay, as per the Police Services Act of Ontario (PSA),” said Chief of Police Stephen Tanner. “As such, we will endeavour to conclude this matter at the earliest opportunity.”
In addition to the criminal charges, Staff Sergeant Murray will face disciplinary procedures in accordance with the PSA. The most serious penalty under the PSA is dismissal.
With the criminal investigation by the Toronto Police Service complete, the Halton Regional Police Service (Professional Standards Bureau) will now conduct its internal disciplinary investigation, at which point the Police Services Act process will commence.
As a result of the investigation, and confirmation that exhibits had been tampered with, a number of drug related trials have been stayed by the Prosecution. The full ramifications of this situation as it relates to court prosecutions and potential withdrawal of charges will not be known for some time.
 Halton Regional Police Services Chief Tanner. Chief Tanner released the following statement to the public and the members of the Halton District Police Service:
“We recognize the impact such news brings to you, the people we serve, and to the reputation of our Service. It violates public trust in the work we do and is an affront to the Canadian justice system as a whole. As such, we are committed to dealing with this issue transparently and thoroughly, guided by our longstanding principles of Excellence, Integrity, Justice, Trust and Respect, Teamwork and Accountability.
We will continue to cooperate fully with, and support the decisions of, the Toronto Police Service, Public Prosecution Services of Canada and the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Office. In light of the findings and going forward, the Drug and Morality Unit has implemented additional measures to preserve the integrity of all seized drug exhibits. I am confident in the security of our Service’s drug exhibits and that no other cases or types of drugs are in question.”
By Staff
May 24th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
On Tuesday May 23rd, officers from the Services three District Response Units teamed up for a third time this year in order to focus on a variety of traffic complaints throughout the City of Burlington. A large number of traffic complaints received by police relate to drivers exceeding the posted speed limits.
Project Safe Commute was developed in response to concerns expressed by Halton residents about aggressive driving, particularly during the morning and afternoon commutes. The first phase of the initiative was completed in Milton and Halton Hills in late March, while the second phase took place in Oakville in April.
 Police targeting cars exceeding the speed limits. Officers targeted those driving behaviours that place road users at the greatest risk namely distracted driving, aggressive driving and driving while impaired by either drug or alcohol.
Officers dedicated a combined total of 98 hours of enforcement to 15 identified high traffic complaint areas within Burlington. As a result of police presence at these various locations, police arrested two impaired drivers, impounded two vehicles for 7 days, took out of service three commercial motor vehicles due to violations, issued over 28 warnings to drivers and handed out 138 Provincial Offence Notices to drivers.
The charges ranged from distracted driving, speeding, stop sign and red light infractions, license suspensions, and impaired operation of a motor vehicle.
 Sgt. Jared McLeod of the 3 District Response Unit commented, “Drivers need to remember that their actions behind the wheel may have consequences on others. Several drivers stopped for speeding were doing 40km over the posted limit. Speeds like this, can escalate the chances of a serious motor vehicle collision. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. We all play a role in changing driver behaviour to ensure safer roads for all.”
Halton Police would like to remind drivers that community safety is a shared responsibility and that each individual driver plays a key role in ensuring that their next commute is a Safe Commute.
Project Safe Commute and others are part of the Service’s broader Community First policing philosophy that focuses on incorporating the four pillars of (community) safety and well-being into service priorities: Emergency Response, Risk Intervention, Prevention, and Social Development.
If any citizen would like to report a traffic concern they can do so by visiting our website and submitting an online traffic complaint,
https://www.haltonpolice.ca/services/reporting/trafficcomplaints.php
 By Staff
May 15, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
On Saturday June 3rd, you will be able to have your personal sensitive documents shred at the Crime stoppers event. The shredding truck will be at the parking lot on the east side of Brant at Ghent from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
How much damage can the theft of your personal identity do?
An Ontario teacher is working to clear her name and her credit score, after someone appears to have used her identity to open credit cards, take out a loan and purchase a luxury SUV.
Tara Douglas arrived home from her teaching job in Bradford, about 65 kilometres north of Toronto, on April 28 to find a bill waiting for her for the Highway 407 toll expressway.
The bill was for trips she never took in a car she never bought.
“I saw the licence plate did not belong to me and the trips that were on this 407 bill I had never taken,” Douglas told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning.
She called the number on the bill and was told she had to deal with the Ministry of Transportation. The next day, Douglas went to a Service Ontario location to figure out what was going on.
After receiving a strange bill, Tara Douglas began digging and discovered that her identity had been stolen.
A staffer there pulled up her information and told Douglas that a 2012 black Range Rover was registered to her driver’s licence, in addition to her own car.
“That’s kind of when I really started to freak out because this obviously isn’t my car,” she said.
The MTO staffer removed the Range Rover from her licence and directed her to police in Barrie. Police listened to the details of her case and launched an investigation. On Tuesday, the force issued a news release with a picture of a suspect standing in front of the SUV.
“The news release says the Range Rover has been registered to Douglas since March 31 after being purchased at a dealership in Woodbridge, another community north of Toronto.
“The dealership was contacted and confirmed the female who purchased the vehicle did so with a valid driver’s licence and proper identification,” the release says.
Police had advised Douglas to contact her bank, as well as credit reporting agencies Equifax and TransUnion, to see what else may have been done in her name. While her personal bank information was fine, the credit bureaus told her that someone had taken out numerous credit cards in her name, ringing up between $1,000 and $5,000 in charges. Her address was also listed as being in North York, which isn’t true. Two cellphone numbers that weren’t Douglas’s were also registered to her.
Other car purchases were also listed on her credit report, and police told her that a $60,000 loan had also been taken out in her name.
After learning about the extent of the identity theft, Douglas has done everything she could to clean up her credit report and protect herself.
While she doesn’t yet know how someone managed to get her personal information, police did tell her that the person allegedly buying cars and obtaining credit in her name had obtained her social insurance number.
She’s now working hard to clean up her credit report, sending the credit bureaus various documents to prove her side of the story. She has also contacted Canada Post to ensure her mail wasn’t being diverted to the suspect’s address.
“I think I’ve covered all my bases,” she said. She’s also unsubscribed from email lists she doesn’t want to be on, has told her banks to only communicate with her by phone and boosted the privacy settings on her social media accounts.
“I don’t know what else I can do at this point, but I want this to be resolved and go away and and get back to what my life was and who I am,” she said.
How did someone get enough information on Tara Douglas to be able to open up a bank account, get a bank loan, buy a car and get credit cards, She may never know. The thieves may have gone though her garbage and found a bank statement – that would be more than enough to get them started.
On Saturday June 3rd, you will be able to have your personal sensitive documents shred at the Crime stoppers event. The shredding truck will be at the parking lot on the east side of Brant at Ghent from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
By Staff
May 14, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
What is wrong with this email? It says it is from Apple – I am not an Apple user – so why would I respond to it?
Also – it is not from Apple.
The clues – and you need to learn to look for them.
 Emails like this are flooding the internet – doing a lot of damage to the finances of individuals and costing the banks and the credit card companies a small fortune – billions.
The address it came from – does have the word apple in it – but it isn’t from the Apple organization.
The mis-spelling of the word security is the biggest clue. Major corporations don’t make that kind of mistake – should it happen they would correct it in second.
Should you click on any of the places they ask you to – you have started the process that could well end up with you losing your identity to someone else – who can do you a lot of harm. How much damage can they do – check out this story we published.
Be careful, be cautious. when you cross the street you look both ways – do the same with email. The internet has brought us huge changes – and with those changes come some problems. If the email you get looks to good to be true – that’s because it isn’t. The thieves are relying on your gullibility and your greed.
By Staff
May 10th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It wasn’t the tour of duty they were expecting when they set out for work September 20th, 2016
In a media release the Halton Regional Police Service report that several of its members were following a suspect; while in the city of Toronto, one of the officers shot the suspect. When police use their guns the Ontario Special Investigations Units initiates an investigation. At the time of the incident, HRPS officers were following a suspect, a Mr. Grayson Delong, as part of an ongoing property crimes investigation.
The Ontario special Investigations Unit tell the story much better than the Halton police,
They report that:
 The SIU investigated behaviour of an HRPS officer. He was cleared The assignment began at a courthouse in Brampton where Mr. Delong was scheduled to make a 9 a.m. court appearance. Over the next several hours, HRPS officers followed Mr. Delong who eventually made his way to the downtown Toronto area.
After parking on Admiral Road, Mr. Delong exited the vehicle wearing a reflective construction vest and a blonde wig. He then walked to a nearby park where he stayed for approximately one hour. Suspecting that Mr. Delong was preparing to commit a robbery, the team contacted other area police services about their suspicions.
Shortly after 3 p.m., Mr. Delong drove to Bedford Road and parked his vehicle across the street from 23 Bedford Road.
Minutes later, Mr. Delong exited his vehicle, looked southbound and then re-entered the car. The subject officer, directed to approach on foot in order to ascertain if Mr. Delong was still inside the vehicle, saw Mr. Delong slouched down in the rear passenger seat. He was still wearing the disguise. The subject officer walked into the stairwell of a nearby building which afforded him a view of Mr. Delong sitting in the vehicle.
Suddenly, Mr. Delong exited the vehicle and ran up behind a male individual, who was standing at the rear of a vehicle in the driveway of the property at 23 Bedford Road. As the male slowly turned around, Mr. Delong discharged a semi-automatic pistol. The male suffered gunshot wounds and fell to the ground. Mr. Delong made his way back to his vehicle.
Hearing gunshots, followed by shouting and screaming, the subject officer ran onto Bedford Road and saw Mr. Delong re-enter his vehicle while carrying a dark object in his right hand which he believed was a gun.
The subject officer, now standing on the east sidewalk took out his gun and walked behind the vehicle Mr. Delong was in and pointed his pistol at it. The subject officer yelled, “Police, police, police!” Mr. Delong drove his vehicle out of the parking space in a jerky motion. The vehicle abruptly stopped, and the driver’s window shattered outward as Mr. Delong again discharged his firearm. Mr. Delong then began to slowly drive away along southbound Bedford Road.
The subject officer aimed his gun at the rear of Mr. Delong’s vehicle and fired three times. After firing the third shot, he noticed Mr. Delong slump to the right, and his vehicle suddenly jerked and started rolling forward. One of the other members of the team drove his vehicle in front of Mr. Delong’s car, and the two vehicles slowly made contact and came to a stop.
The members of the team approached Mr. Delong’s vehicle with their guns drawn. They found Mr. Delong lying across the right front passenger seat. He had been struck twice.
First Aid was administered to Mr. Delong until paramedics arrived.
When Mr. Delong’s left arm was pulled out from underneath him, a semi-automatic pistol was observed on the passenger seat of the vehicle.
Director Loparco said, “There is no question that the subject officer was acting in the course of his duties when he fired his gun at the fleeing Mr. Delong. The subject officer was in a proximate location to the male’s office at the time of the shooting. Mr. Delong acted suddenly, and the subject officer’s response was prompt. The time frame from when Mr. Delong approached the male to when he pulled his vehicle away was a mere 20 seconds.
“The question that I have to consider is whether or not the subject officer exceeded the ambits of justifiable force in the circumstances, the applicable section of the Criminal Code being section 25(4).
“Based on all of the forensic evidence and statements from numerous witnesses and the subject officer, all five requirements of section 25(4) are satisfied. First, the subject officer had reasonable grounds to believe that Mr. Delong had just shot somebody and as such was arrestable. Second, a person who commits either aggravated assault or discharge firearm with intent can be arrested without a warrant. Third, Mr. Delong was clearly attempting to flee the scene as he drove away from 23 Bedford Road. Fourth, the subject officer indicated that he believed that Mr. Delong posed a threat to him, the other nearby officers and the public.
Given that Mr. Delong appeared to have just shot somebody, and had fired additional shots from inside his vehicle, the subject officer’s conclusion was more than reasonable. Finally, there was no less violent mechanism that could have been used to affect the arrest. It is also noteworthy that the subject officer only fired three times, and held his fire after noticing that Mr. Delong’s vehicle abruptly jerked on the roadway. The subject officer’s actions in the circumstances were reasonable, responsive, measured and thoughtful.”
 Special Investigations Unit Director Tony Loparco. Director Loparco added, “Beyond the shooting, there was another potential avenue of criminal liability that I considered when reviewing this case. The facts of this case gave me pause when they were presented to me at an early stage. I was concerned with the fact that the HRPS team had been observing Mr. Delong for an extended period of time prior to the shooting. The concern was that their inactions, or omissions, could conceivably satisfy the requirements of criminal negligence causing bodily harm with respect to the male’s injuries. If the officers did not place Mr. Delong under arrest when they should have, then their actions could very well have been a marked and substantial departure from what a reasonable officer would have done in the same circumstances.
“However, a review of the HRPS team’s assignment and efforts leads me to the conclusion that there is no basis for reasonable grounds to believe that the offence of criminal negligence causing bodily harm was committed. While his activities certainly warranted suspicion, Mr. Delong was not arrestable for any offences prior to his approaching the male and discharging a firearm. After Mr. Delong donned his disguise, the team consulted with nearby police services to determine if Mr. Delong matched the descriptions of any wanted persons. He did not.”
Director Loparco concluded, “In the circumstances, the subject officer was legally justified in employing force intended to cause death or grievous bodily harm against a fleeing suspect. Consequently, there is no reason to believe that a criminal offence has been committed and no charges will issue.”
HRPS Chief Stephen Tanner today releases his statement regarding the incident and SIU findings:
Halton Regional Police Services Chief Tanner. “At this time I wish to publicly commend each of our officers for the roles they played that day. They were able to effectively intervene in a rapidly unfolding, life-threatening incident. While we may never know for sure, these officers quite possibly saved the life of the victim who had been shot. Following the initial incident, the officers rendered medical assistance at the scene until Toronto EMS arrived.
“I am extremely proud of our team. All of the involved officers, including the subject officer, cooperated fully with the SIU. This included (the subject officer) submitting to an interview, which he was not required to do.
“No police officer wants to be placed in a situation of having to consider, never mind actually using deadly force. However, we know from this and many other similar, serious cases across the country, it can be a requirement of our highly-trained and professional officers.
“With the SIU investigation concluded, I want to once again thank our officers for their actions and commend them for their professional conduct throughout the incident and resulting investigation.”
By Staff
May 10, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The attempts to get at your personal financial information are relentless. There are thousands of thieves out there from around the world hat send out millions of email each day trying to lure people into sending them information that will allow them to get at your sensitive financial information.
The rule is always – if in doubt – don’t
One of the more recent scams is the parking ticket notice.
Here is what it looks like.
  
The bottom part is perhaps the most dangerous – they might have a photograph that will have computer code within it that could corrupt your computer and leave software on your machine that lets them track everything you do.
Very dangerous. That rule again: If in doubt – don’t.
By Staff
May 8th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
On May 2nd 2017 shortly before midnight, a uniformed officer observed a red Cadillac driving in an erratic manner as it travelled southbound on Guelph Line from Dundas Street in Burlington.
Upon seeing police, the vehicle made several turns and pulled into a private driveway on Greenbough Crescent after which four male occupants ran from the vehicle. Police determined that the vehicle had been stolen earlier in the evening from a driveway in Brampton.
Further police descended upon the area and the four males were quickly located and arrested.
Arrested & Charged are:
Vaishnavan SUTHAGARAN (21 yrs) of Brampton (Held for bail and remains in custody)
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
• Obstruct peace officer
• Fail to comply with recognizance
Mohammed Abdullah JAMA (18 yrs) of Oakville (Released on bail and will appear next in Milton court on May 31st 2017)
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
• Fail to comply with undertaking
Jared Myles AMURAO (21 yrs) of Brampton (Released on bail and will appear next in Milton court on May 24th 2017)
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
17-year old male who cannot be identified because of his age (held for bail and remains in custody)
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
• Obstruct peace officer
• Fail to comply with recognizance (three counts)
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2316. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 … but maybe it looked like this. A red Cadillac will certainly get attention which it did.
 It probably looked like this …
 By Pepper Parr
May 8th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s an annual event – the 18th and an occasion when the police pull out all the stops and show the public what they do and how they do it.
 Mini robots will be on display. Much of the equipment the police have to serve and protect a community is on display. There will be demonstrations where police officers work with a member of the K9 unit.
 K9 unit on patrol Takes place Saturday May 13th between 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m at HRPS Headquarters 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville.
Rain or Shine: No Pets Please.
There will be HMC Connections volunteer interpreters (Arabic, Urdu, Chinese, Spanish, Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Korean, Portuguese and French) available through the Information booth
 Police officers going through a training exercise. ASL interpreter services available through the Information booth and ASL interpreting for all stage presentations
Live Demonstrations and Interactive Displays, Family-Friendly Entertainment and Rides are part of the day.
The HRPS Pipes & Drums and Chorus will be on hand – all the celebrate what the police do and to celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Children’s Safety Village
 Chief Tanner takes the salute A BBQ provided by Troy’s Diner ($)
FREE Admission & On-Site Parking
 By Staff
May 4th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
An Ontario Court judge has found animal activist Anita Krajnc not guilty of mischief for giving water to pigs outside a slaughterhouse.
 Anita Krajnc not guilty of mischief Judge David Harris dismissed a charge Thursday against Krajnc, the 49-year-old founder of Toronto Pig Save. Krajnc was charged after she poured water into the openings of a metal trailer outside Fearman’s Pork Inc. in Burlington, Ont., in June 2015.
The trial began last year and included five days of testimony. If convicted, Krajnc could have been fined $5000 and sent to jail for six months.
It was clear Krajnc was giving the pigs water, Harris said, and not an “unknown liquid” as police initially alleged. And the pigs were slaughtered anyway, which means she didn’t obstruct their “lawful use.”
Picked up from a CBC news report. The Gazette will provide more detailed information later in the day.
By Staff
May 4th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
There is some pretty progressive thinking going on within the Halton Region Police Service. Not a place where creative ideas normally come from.
Constable Dave Stewart convinced the people higher up on the food chain than he is that clerks who work at the drive thru windows at fast food outlets are really front line observers of the condition of the person behind the wheel.
The young men and women get closer to the face of a driver than most police officers do should they pull you over.
 Stewart came up with the idea of training these men and women to serve as observers and if they see something that even suggests a driver might be impaired – make a 911 call – the police will follow up.
Every one of the 36 drive through operations in Burlington chose to take part in this pilot project.
Training the young men and women took place this morning.
Some of the graphics material handed out is amongst the best the Gazette has seen in some time.
The video that was used to train people is very close to commercial grade. Check it out.
Well done to the police service.
By Staff
May 3rd, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police are doing what other police services are doing – raiding commercial establishments that are selling marijuana based products.
The Street Crime Unit conducted an investigation into the illegal sale and distribution of marijuana by a local business and on May 2nd 2017, executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at Frank’s Magic Crops located at 419 Guelph Line in Burlington where they seized 1.5 kilograms (3.3 lbs) of marijuana and edible THC based products with a combined street value of $22,000. Police also seized $1591.00 in currency.
 Frank’s Magic Crops got harvested. The operator of the business, Anne PASTOR (69 years) of Burlington, was arrested and released on an Appearance Notice charged with possession for the purpose of Trafficking (Marijuana). She will appear in Milton Court on May 30th 2017.
The Halton Regional Police Service would like to remind the public that under the current drug laws, any dispensary that is selling marijuana in person to individuals is illegal. The Halton Regional Police Service is dedicated to investigating any allegation of criminal activity which includes the illegal selling or trafficking of marijuana.
Anyone who may have information regarding the illegal trafficking of drugs is asked to contact police. To remain anonymous please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit tips and information online at https://haltoncrimestoppers.ca “See something. Hear something. Say Something”
 By Staff
May 3rd, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Sometime tomorrow Anita Krajnc, co-founder of Toronto Pig Save, will learn what Justice Harris will decide if any punishment should be given for giving pigs in a commercial animal trailer water to drink.
The hearing will be the last in a long protracted trial on a charge of criminal mischief laid in June 2015
 Pigs in a transport truck being given water. Ms. Krajnc was charged after giving water to dehydrated pigs in a transportation truck bound for slaughter. Ms Krajnc claims she was simply following The Golden Rule – treat others as you wish to be treated.
“The law should protect the vulnerable, not criminalize those who come to their aid. We all have a duty to follow the Golden Rule and give water to panting animals and raise awareness of their unjust slaughter,” says Anita Krajnc.
She faces a potential six month prison sentence and a $5,000.00 fine. At the most recent trial on March 9th, Judge Harris said he needed more time to issue the verdict.
The case has attracted global media attention and the defence put together by Ms. Krajnc’s lawyers James Silver and Gary Grill, both vegan, has put the animal agriculture industry on trial, showing people that pigs are persons, not property.
“Pigs have individual personalities. They’re also one of the few species that can recognize themselves in a mirror. They have self-awareness and have a sense of themselves within the social community. Each one is a unique individual,” said Lori Marino, a neuroscientist who testified at the Pig Trial on November 1, 2016.
 Burlington fire fighters tear open the top of a transport trailer to free pigs that were in the truck when it rolled over. The criminal mischief charge was laid by Regional police on the day a transport rolled over on Walkers Line.
‘Toronto Pig Save’ started in 2011 and began a wider network known as ‘The Save Movement’ in which groups from around the world join together to bear witness to animals arriving in transportation trucks at slaughterhouses. There are now almost 150 groups worldwide including in North and South America, Europe, Oceania and Asia.
Several groups will also be holding solidarity vigils worldwide to show unity with the message that compassion is not a crime, with several groups in the UK taking part.
There will be an all-day vigil outside Freeman’s Pork – 7 am to 12:00 pm on Thursday.
By Staff
May 3rd, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Two males browsing the shelves at the Apple Store at Mapleview Mall in Burlington have been accused of stealing $6219.00 worth of Apple TV’s, wireless headphones and USB storage devices on or about March 19th 2017.
 The loot! On May 1st 2017, investigators with the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau arrested Ardian Sadik PIRI (50 yrs) and executed a search warrant at his Stapleford Terrace residence in Mississauga. Police seized $64,613 in cash, 43 grams of marihuana and stolen property which included printer cartridges, Fitbit watches, Cellular phones, Apple TV’s, USB Storage devices and Chromecast devices. (Photo included).
 Is this a caught in the act photograph? PIRI was released on bail and will appear in Milton Court on May 24th 2017 charged with the following offences:
• Theft Over $5000
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana)
The successful outcome of this investigation is largely attributed to the excellent working relationship that investigators have with the Retail Loss Prevention Officers working in the City of Burlington to combat shoplifting.
 Police would like to identify this suspect. Police are still looking to identify the second suspect involved. He is described as a white male, 40 to 50 years of age with dark hair, wearing sunglasses, blue jacket, dark jeans and a checkered shirt.
Anyone with information about this theft or who can identify the second suspect is asked to contact D/Cst. Dave Macedo of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2368. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
May 1, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
There was no crime.
Good to know.
Last Saturday the Halton Regional Police requested assistance in identifying two males captured on video surveillance in a Burlington neighbourhood.
Police believed the two males may have been involved or had knowledge regarding break and enters in the area.
The males depicted in the pictures contacted police to identify themselves. Police investigation has revealed that both males are contactors working the in the area and are in no way related to any break and enters.
Neither of the men pictured below did anything illegal. They are not wanted by the police – thy are just two hard working contractors who apparently thought there was a work opportunity at a particular house and were making an inquiry.
  This news story got started when police reported that a homeowner in the Lakeshore Road/Walkers Line area of Burlington reported suspicious activity at his residence.
Two males had approached his front door and peered inside; they fled quickly when the homeowner approached.
The males left the area in a newer model black Chevy Silverado four door pick-up truck. Police wanted to identify and speak to the men.
The meeting took place and there is no longer any suspicion regarding these two men.
The upside of all this is that the public knows there is a system of information distribution that the public can respond to – more than 3000 people read the original story.
Police are still investigating two residential break and enters on the same date in the same neighbourhood.
Anyone with information regarding the break and enters in the Burlington area is asked to contact D/Cst. Tyler FREEMAN of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Residential Property Crime Team @ 905-825-4747 ext 2363. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
April 29th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
At approximately 9:45am on April 20th 2017, a homeowner in the Lakeshore Road/Walkers Line area of Burlington reported suspicious activity at his residence.
Two males approached his front door and peered inside; they fled quickly when the homeowner approached. The males left the area in a newer model black Chevy Silverado four door pick-up truck.
 First suspect approaching a house in the Lakeshore – Walkers line part of the city.  Second suspect approaching the same home. Police are looking to identify and speak to the males. Police are also investigating two residential break and enters on the same date in the same neighbourhood. It has not yet been confirmed that the incidents are related.
The images are of exceptional quality – data like this will produce results. Quality cameras do make a difference
Anyone who can identify these males is asked to contact D/Cst. Tyler FREEMAN of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Residential Property Crime Team @ 905-825-4747 ext 2363. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
April 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service has decided to close its Burlington substation at the end of the month.
No time for public feedback with what amounts to a couple of days’ notice. City Councillor Marianne Meed Ward has said she did have discussions with the police over this matter, She does not appear to have taken that conversation to her community.
 The police report that there was extensive internal and external review.
The substation, located at 760 Brant Street south of Ghent Street, opened in 2007 when 3 District moved from its former downtown location on Locust Street to Constable Henshaw Boulevard.
Since that time, the number of people attending the substation has been on the decline. In 2016, only six reports were generated from visitors; the vast majority stopped to ask for directions or to turn in found property.
The decrease in attendance can be largely attributed to advances in technology which have changed the way members of the public interact with the Service. Key among these is social media like Twitter and Facebook which enable users to obtain information and advice on a range of police-related matters.
In Halton, other advances include the introduction of online crime reporting, a mobile app for iOS and Android and Text to 9-1-1. All – in addition to traditional 9-1-1 for emergencies and crimes in progress or 905-825-4777 for non-emergencies – make it possible for people to receive 24 hour a day, seven day a week police support without having to attend a police station.
Truth be told the sub-station was not always open.
The police do not anticipate the closure of the Burlington substation to impact the ability of those in need to get the right response, at the right time, by the right responders.
“Our mission, as it has been for several years now, is to provide effective and efficient community policing service,” said Superintendent Al Albano, Commander of 3 District in Burlington.
“By freeing officers from behind their desks, we have more flexibility to respond to the ever-changing needs of our community.”
Decisions regarding HRPS facilities support the goals laid out in the Service’s 2017-2019 Corporate Business Plan. The Plan and additional information on the aforementioned programs is available at www.haltonpolice.ca.
By Staff
April 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Can you help?
Police are seeking assistance from the public to identify a male responsible for three separate bicycle thefts from the YMCA Burlington.
  Anyone who can identify these suspects is asked to contact D/Cst. Mark URIE of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Residential Property Crime Team @ 905-825-4747 ext 2338. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
April 27, 2107
BURLINGTON, ON
This bank scam is pretty raw and direct.
 The message looks pretty official but the fact is that Scotia bank does not send emails like this.
If you are a Scotia Bank customer and bank on line you will see the following message. They don’t do what the email at the top of this story does.
How do you know the message is not from the bank – look at the address of the people it came from. The sender of this message has created and used a name that looks like it could be from Scotia Bank –
ScotiaBank <Secure.eMail@scotiabanksecure.com
But it isn’t – they have included the word secure to lull you into thinking it is real. Many Scotia customers might get lured in by this.
Pay careful attention to the address an email came from – and if in doubt – don’t!
By Staff
April 26, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional police now have a wallet that belonged to Helen Robertson, the 79 year old woman who disappeared on July 5th 2016.
 Helen Robertson – missing since July 2016 The original finder of the wallet provided the precise location where the wallet was found. This led police to the area of Appleby Line and Harrison Court in Burlington where ground search efforts are underway by members of the Search Incident Response Team (SIRT), Tactical Rescue Unit (TRU) and Police Dog Services.
 The wallet finder is a youth who is not a resident of Halton but was in this location fishing in Bronte Creek and located the wallet while walking up an embankment to leave. The youth later attended a sporting function at Norton Park and intended on turning it in to police.
After the sporting event, the youth accidentally left the wallet behind and went home.
The wallet was later found by Burlington City staff. At the time, the youth did not know the significance of this wallet and investigators are grateful that he came forward.
Investigators are in regular contact with the Robertson family and they are aware of the current search efforts underway.
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