 By Staff
March 18th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Police in Burlington are seeking assistance from the public to identify four persons responsible for a series of thefts from vehicles overnight on March 14/15th from rural driveways in north Burlington. One victim had credit cards stolen which were used fraudulently at several locations in the City of Burlington. Four suspects were observed at the various locations.
Theft from autos continue to be a concern in Burlington, particularly when windows are smashed to gain entry.
A second series of thefts from vehicles occurred in the same rural area of Burlington overnight on March 16/17th. Police would like to remind people to avoid leaving valuables inside and/or in plain view. Police also encourage citizens to report any suspicious persons.
 Anyone who can identify these suspects is asked to contact Det. Ellie Bale of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Residential Property Crime Team @ 905-825-4747 ext 2312. 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
March 16th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
A usually reliable source informed the Gazette that this was a murder-suicide – both people died.
The Halton Regional Police Service are investigating a double shooting at a Mejilla Chiropractic Clinic in Burlington. Officers responded to the location on Plains Road this afternoon at 12:05 p.m.
Both injured parties were taken to hospital for treatment. Their conditions are unknown at this time.
No suspects are being sought and there is no concern for public safety.
No suspects? More to this story.
Police advise that more information will be issued as it is available.
By Staff
March 16, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
On March 14th 2017, Robbery Investigators arrested James Lawrence FAHEY (27 yrs.) of Burlington and charged him with one count of robbery in relation to the robbery of a taxi driver in November, 2016.
He was released on Promise to Appear in Milton Court on April 19th 2017.
 Police want to arrest this man – can you help? Investigators are still seeking the public’s assistance to identify the second male suspect who has a nose ring in his left nostril and what appears to be a tattoo or scar in the area below his left ear.
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).
By Staff
March 14th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
What in heavens name did John Tirone think he was doing when he tried to enter a court house with a weapon.
At 10:28am on Monday March 13th, 2017 a male was entering the Milton Courthouse located at 491 Steeles Avenue in the Town of Milton.
 Milton Court House hears all the criminal and family law cases along with civil matters. The male was being screened through a Security checkpoint. That’s when Halton Regional Police Court Officers noticed the firearm. The male was immediately arrested without incident. A search incident to arrest of the male uncovered some knives, one of which was a prohibited weapon. A further search of the male’s motor vehicle resulted in the seizure of a second loaded firearm.
A follow up investigation has revealed that there was no intended action to target any persons. Detective Sergeant Dave Costantini of the One District Criminal Investigations Bureau said, “We are extremely confident that there was no plan to harm any individuals at the Courthouse.”
What was the reason for even trying to take a weapon into the Court House?
A public safety search warrant was conducted on the male’s residence and resulted in the seizure of an additional 7 firearms.
John Tirone, 40 years of Burlington has been charged with several firearms related offences. He has been held for a bail hearing.
• 4 counts of Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
• 1 count of Unauthorized Possession of Weapon
• 3 counts of Carry concealed weapon
• 8 counts of Careless Use of Firearm, Weapon, Ammunition (Included in these charges are the unsafe storage and transport of the firearms and ammunition).
• 2 counts of Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm/ammunition
• 2 counts Possession of Firearm at Unauthorized Place
 Doesn’t everyone know that security screening is done at every courthouse? Apparently not. There is a psych evaluation test to be done somewhere in the process of this case working its way through the judicial system.
Anyone with information that would assist in this investigation is asked to contact Detective Skoularicos of the Milton One District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747, ext 2420. Tips can also be submitted anonymously 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 Pepper Parr
March 14th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Just how does Crime stoppers work?
Everyone knows what Crime Stoppers is. Few know just how it works other that there are cash awards for some tips.
The Gazette publishes the following at the bottom of every crime related news article. The Regional Police add it to everything thy send out.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously 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).
How effective is the service? Stats for 2016:
Number of Crime Stoppers tips called in – 1,218
Arrests made as the result of a Crime Stoppers tip: 36
Cases Cleared as the result of a Crime Stoppers tip: 25
Charges Laid as the result of a Crime stoppers tip: 75
Property Recovered as the result of Crime Stoppers tips: $40,630
Drugs Seized due to Crime Stoppers tips: $87,600
So – how does being anonymous actually work?
When someone calls the 1-800 number they are asked not to personally identify themselves. The Crime stoppers telephone number does not have call display on any of its lines.
Cal Millar, the Crime Stoppers vice chair explains that most people don’t call Crime Stoppers looking for a financial reward – they want to help but they don’t want to be identified.
When a person calls Crime Stoppers they are given a six digit file number – and that is the way they know each other – by a number. “If a person tells us who they are, our trained Crime Stoppers operator immediately ends the call and instructs the caller to call the police.
The anonymity is core to what Crime Stoppers does; people, for the most part do not call for the reward money.
When there is a cash payout – how does a caller get the money – that’s a part of Crime Stoppers that results in a lot of humourous stories.
 What Crime Stoppers vice chair Cal Millar might have looked like when he was handing over a reward – there would have been a flower in the lapel of the trench coat. Millar recalls the time he was to meet a Crime Stoppers caller. “I had an envelope with cash in it and had agreed to meet the caller at an agreed upon location. Because names were not being used I said I would be wearing a flower in the lapel of my jacket and would be standing near a stairway in a public place.”
“The Crime Stopper approached me” said Millar, “ told me what the six digit identifying number was and it matched what I had on the envelop so I passed it over and we each went our separate ways.”
The cloak and dagger days are in the past for Crime Stoppers. The organization has a number of trusted partners who hold the envelopes for people to pick up. A recipient of a cash award will drop by an office or a retail location and ask if there is an envelope. Give the clerk the identifying number and the envelope gets handed over.
 A tribute to the Eagles – Hotel California at the St Volodymyr Cultural Centre on March 30th. Where does the reward money come from? That’s what Crime Stoppers fund raising is all about. They hold events and raise funds that they then hand out.
Crime Stoppers has an event coming up on March 30th. Hotel California will be playing at St Volodymyr Cultural Centre on March 30th.
Crime Stoppers is supported by the Regional Police who provide office space and a trained staffer who has security clearance to handle the incoming calls.
There is also a police officer assigned to the unit as liaison. The role is currently filled by Detective Constable Jodi Thompson.
Police throughout Canada and the United states will tell you that after fingerprints Crime Stoppers is the best investigative tool they have. DNA has since been added to the best tools the police have.
By Staff
March 13th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s Fraud Prevention Month (#FPM2017) and the Halton Regional Police Service released the second of four scheduled Frauds of the Week: Emergency Scams. Emergency scams typically target older individuals and play upon their emotions to steal their money.
 According to the Better Business Bureau of Canada, the total amount lost to emergency scams in 2016 was $1.9 million. Since January 1, 2017, eight to ten victims in Halton alone have been defrauded of funds. One of these victims lost $14,000. Like romance scams, actual figures are believed to be much higher as victims often feel too ashamed to report fraud to police.
“Emergency scams work well because fraudsters throw victims into a state of mini-crisis,” according to Staff Sergeant Chris Lawson of the Regional Fraud Unit. “When this happens, the ability to think clearly or assess a situation is hampered and the first inclination – to help – kicks in.”
In a typical emergency scam scenario, an older person receives a phone call from someone claiming to be their grandchild, neighbour or friend of the family. The caller goes on to say that they are in some kind of trouble, a car accident, stranded in a foreign country or in jail, and need money immediately.
Some victims may get calls from two people, one purporting to be their loved one and the other a police officer or a lawyer. The caller will ask potential victims a series of leading questions which prompts them to volunteer personal information. Callers say that they don’t want others to find out what has happened. Typically, they will ask for money to be wired through a money transfer company.
More recently, victims have been asked for gift cards, known as “steam cards” as payment instead of money. In this variation, victims are asked to purchase the cards and read their serial codes to the caller over the phone.
Victims often don’t verify the caller’s story until after the money has been sent or the gift card information shared and cashed in.
The following tips to protect yourself from emergency scams have been provided courtesy of the Better Business Bureau and Royal Canadian Mounted Police:
• Remember: Scammers count on the fact that victims will want to act quickly to help their loved one in an emergency.
• Caution: Never send money to anyone you don’t know and trust. Verify the person’s identity before you take any steps to help.
• Think: Don’t give out any personal information to the caller.
• Investigate: Ask the person questions that only your loved one would be able to answer. Call someone you both know to verify the story. Scammers can learn a lot about you from social media, or while talking to you on the phone.
• Ask yourself: Does the caller’s story make sense?
• Important: Police will never ask you for money, steam cards or other forms of payment.
Anyone with information pertaining to a fraud or any other crime is asked to contact the Regional Fraud Bureau Intake Office at 905-465-8741 or Fraud@haltonpolice.ca. Tips can also be submitted anonymously 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
March 9, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The consequences of leaving anything of value in your car were evident when two Hamilton residents were charged with theft from motor vehicle and subsequent fraudulent use of stolen credit cards.
The arrested have been identified as:
 Chantal Cindy BARDY  Allan Edward ALLAN and Chantal Cindy BARDY walking into a retail outlet. Allan Edward ALLAN ( 29 yrs) and Chantal Cindy BARDY (31 yrs) both of Hamilton. They have been arrested and charged with theft under $5000, possession of property obtained by crime and use stolen credit card.
ALLAN will appear in Milton Court on March 22nd 2017 and BARDY will appear in Milton Court on April 5th 2017.
Police would like to remind the public to ensure their vehicles are locked and avoid leaving valuables inside and/or in plain view and to report any suspicious persons.
Anyone who with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Mark Urie of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Residential Crime Team at 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
March 9th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Halton Regional Police have identified and arrested two individuals responsible for numerous fraudulent purchases across the GTA of Canada Goose Jackets using digital gift cards issued by a well-known outdoor retail chain, Sail Canada.
 The investigation first began in October of 2016 after two males made suspicious purchases at the Sail store in Burlington, Ontario, using gift cards. With the assistance of the company it was determined that the gift cards had been purchased with fraudulent credit cards and involved a similar pattern that had been occurring across the GTA.
Investigators from the Halton Regional Police Service Fraud Unit continued the investigation that led to the identity of the two individuals involved. A total of 71 digital gift cards were used, these cards were purchased using the credit card data of 19 different victims from both the USA and Canada.
Arrested and charged are:
Li De HUANG (Male) 29yrs of Scarborough
Jun WANG (Male) 27yrs of Mississauga
The charges include Fraud Over $5,000, multiple counts of Identity Fraud, and Unauthorized use of credit card data all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. Both accused parties are to appear in Milton Court, March 29th, 2017 to answer to the charges.
Anyone with information pertaining to a fraud or any other crime is asked to contact the Regional Fraud Bureau Intake Office at 905-465-8741 or Fraud@haltonpolice.ca. Tips can also be submitted anonymously 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 Pepper Parr
March 6th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The 21st session of the International Women’s Day Breakfast hosted by former Burlington MP Paddy featured newly appointed Senator Kim Pate.
She gave the room of women an eyeful when she talked about the criminal justice system and how it treats women.
 Paul Hensall gave Senator one of the Convo Plates his Foundation created to keep a conversation about mental health going. Pate was the Executive Director of the Elizabeth Fry Society for more than 35 years. She was instrumental in and widely credited as the driving force behind the Inquiry into Certain Events at the Prison for Women in Kingston, headed by Justice Louise Arbour. During the Inquiry, she supported women as they aired their experiences and was a critical resource and witness in the Inquiry itself.
It was no surprise then that Senator Pate chose to get very specific about what the federal government does and doesn’t do with and to women who are in conflict with the law.
Pate told the audience of influential Burlington women and representative students from almost every high school in the city, that it costs the federal government $348,000 to keep a woman in prison for one year.
She told the audience that the federal government spent more than $2 million transporting Ashley Smith from prison to prison before the young women ended her life in her cell while prison guards stood outside the cell door.
Ashley Smith was sent to prison for throwing stones at a postal worker. Her time in federal penitentiaries did not go well – she was a discipline problem and the time she had to remain in prison kept getting longer and longer.
The Ashley Smith case is one of those tragic embarrassments for which no one was held accountable.
 There was a long line up at the registration desk – for many high school students it was their first major event where they were celebrated as young women. Accountability is big with Senator Pate – but she takes it much further than most and preaches that society as a whole is accountable for how we handle those people who come into conflict with the judicial system. She does not pull her punches and being soft is just not her manner. She differentiates between being soft on those who are responsible and being compassionate to those who need help.
Pate asked her audience – why does any of this matter to Burlington and replied to the question saying it is in our best interest.
Before she started her talk Senator Pate encouraged her audience to ask questions – interrupt me if you have a question. Clearly the Senator had not been to Burlington before – that isn’t the way we Burlingtonians behave. We choose to be polite – which some describe as our complacency – after all there is no serious criminal element in the city.
 It was the safest room in the city – four female police officers shared the table with four high school students. Pate pointed out later in her talk that she is in pretty consistent touch with five people in Burlington who are on the wrong side of the bars. A Gazette reader mentioned to us a few days after the talk that they were working with a young man who is serving a prison sentence.
More than 88% of the women in prison are there because of poverty issues – they cannot sustain themselves and are not able to get away from relationships that are abusive.
Pate is a strong advocate of a living wage being paid to very person in Canada.
The two groups of people most as risk and who end up being tangled with the courts are women and students. At the root of all their problems is the matter of poverty.
“You will be changing that” Pate told her audience.
More than forty years ago in Dauphin, Manitoba residents were selected to be subjects in a project that ensured basic annual incomes for everyone. For five years, monthly cheques were delivered to the poorest residents of Dauphin, Man. – no strings attached.
And for five years, poverty was completely eliminated.
 The hall was filled – the guests at this table were at the buffet. The project’s original intent was to evaluate if giving cheques to the working poor, enough to top-up their incomes to a living wage, would kill people’s motivation to work. It didn’t.
But the Conservative government that took power provincially in 1977 – and federally in 1979 – had no interest in implementing the project more widely. Researchers were told to pack up the project’s records into 1,800 boxes and place them in storage.
A final report was never released.
 Senator Kim Pate You can guess what Senator Pate is going to be advocating for while she serves as a Senator.
The money is always there she said – they found the $2 million they needed to transport Ashley Smith between eight different penitentiaries when she was behind bars.
The Ashley Smith story:
Ashley Smith, born 29 January 1988 in New Brunswick was adopted when she was 5 days old. According to her adoptive parents, Coralee Smith and Herbert Gober, she had a normal child hoodbut between the ages of 13i-14, her parents noted distinct behavioural changes in the child; by age 15 she had been before juvenile court 14 times for various minor offences such as throwing crabapples at a mailman, trespassing, and causing a disturbance.
In March 2002, Smith was assessed by a psychologist who found no evidence of mental illness. However, her behavioural problems continued and she was suspended from school multiple times in the fall of 2002. In March 2003, after multiple court appearances, Smith was admitted to the Pierre Caissie Centre for assessment.
She was diagnosed with ADHD, learning disorder, borderline personality disorder and narcissistic personality traits.
She was discharged several days early from the Centre for unruly and disruptive behaviour and returned to the New Brunswick Youth Centre (NBYC).
Smith was remanded to the NBYC multiple times over the next 3 years; during this time she was involved in more than 800 reported incidents and at least 150 attempts to physically harm herself.
In 2006, Ashley Smith turned 18; in July of that year a motion was made under the Youth Criminal Justice Act to transfer her to an adult facility. Smith hired a lawyer to fight the transfer, but was unsuccessful.
On 5 October 2006, Smith was transferred to the Saint John Regional Correctional Centre (SJRCC). Due to her behaviour at SJRCC, Smith spent most of her time there in segregation; she was tasered twice and pepper-sprayed once. On 31 October 2006, Smith was transferred to the Nova Institution for Women in Nova Scotia (a federal institution). Through 2007, Smith was transferred a total of 17 times between eight institutions during 11 months in federal custody.
While at Grand Valley Institution for Women in Kitchener, Ontario, on 16 October 2007, Smith requested to be transferred to a psychiatric facility; she was placed on a formal suicide watch on 18 October. In the early hours of 19 October, Smith was videotaped placing a ligature around her neck, an act of self-harm she had committed several times before. Guards did not enter her cell to intervene, and 45 minutes passed before she was examined and pronounced dead.
On 25 October 2007, three guards and a supervisor at the Grand Valley Institution for Women were charged with criminal negligence causing death in relation to Smith’s suicide; the warden and deputy warden were fired, but Warden Cindy Berry later quietly rehired. The criminal charges against her subordinates were later dropped.
No charges were ever brought against the warden or deputy warden.
On 8 October 2009, Smith’s family launched a wrongful death lawsuit against the Correctional Service of Canada, demanding C$11 million in damages; the suit was eventually settled out of court in May 2011 for an undisclosed amount.
By Staff
March 6th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
It’s Fraud Prevention Month (#FPM2017) and the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) releases the first of four graphics illustrating common scams used on innocent, sometimes gullible people.
The program is being run nationally with the RCMP who report that 748 victims lost more than $17-million in 2016 to con artists purporting to be in love. The figures are believed to be much higher as many victims are too ashamed to report the fraud.
 Poster being used to warn people about romance scams. Dating and romance scams often begin when an individual creates a fake profile and posts it on popular online dating websites and/or social media. From there, he/she solicits interest in an attempt to gain a victim(s) affection and trust. Soon thereafter, a request(s) for funds is made. Believing themselves to be in a committed relationship, the victim often willingly complies. Money sent is not re-paid and the con artist disappears when they believe they have received all they can from someone.
“Dating and romance scams are popular because fraudsters prey upon the desire many people have to be love and accepted,” said Staff Sergeant Chris Lawson of the Regional Fraud Unit. “Sadly, it is often those who can least afford to lose money – older men and women, people who live alone or those with limited funds – who are victimized.”
The following dating and romance scam safety tips have been provided courtesy of the RCMP and the Competition Bureau of Canada:
• Only use legitimate and reputable dating sites.
• Check the addresses of online dating websites carefully. Scammers often set up fake websites with very similar URLs to legitimate ones.
• Be suspicious when someone you haven’t met in person professes their love. Ask yourself: Would someone I have never met really declare their affection after only a few letters or emails? Like many scams, if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
• Be skeptical of out-of-the-ordinary stories. Common narratives include someone claiming to live nearby but who is working overseas or someone with a sick family member in need of funds.
• In some cases, scammers will try to lure potential victims with flowers or other small gifts before asking for banking details or money.
• Never send money or give credit card or online account details to anyone you do not know and trust.
 Not always what it seems. Anyone with information pertaining to a fraud or any other crime is asked to contact the Regional Fraud Bureau Intake Office at 905-465-8741 or Fraud@haltonpolice.ca. Tips can also be submitted anonymously 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 Pepper Parr
March 4th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Guns and handcuffs are what the public might be the most visible tools the police us every day – but the truth is that fingerprints, DNA and Crime Stoppers are the three biggest tools the police use every day.
Crime Stoppers is a voluntary organization that exists across the country. Each organization has a very tight link to the local police.
 Burlington, being part of the Halton Region, is tied in with Milton, Oakville and Halton Hills and part of Halton Crime Stoppers.
The Regional police recently appointed a new liaison officer to work with Crime Stoppers on a daily basis. Det Constable Jodi Thomson takes on this role as the next step in her 15 years + police career.
A graduate of the police program at Mohawk Colle Thomson was part of the influx of many more women into police service.
Born in Burlington, a graduate of Lester B. Pearson high school, Thomson made Oakville her home where she served as a patrol police officer and then as a detective with the Criminal Investigation branch where she focused on Break and Enter.
Thomson will tell you that the most satisfying part of her career to this point is the four years she spent in Educational Services where she worked with high school throughout the Region.
Thomson also served as an Acting Sergeant working on personal assault cases.
This latest assignment has Thomson working on one of the most critical links in the flow of information from the public to the police.
Everyone has heard about Crime Stoppers said Thomson, few understand how critical a part of policing it really is.
By Staff
March 1, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS), is one of 80 law enforcement agencies and public and private sector organizations nationwide, hat will be involved in Fraud Prevention Month 2017. The hashtag is #FPM2017.
Each year, thousands of Canadians of all ages and backgrounds become victims of fraud. Fraud victims not only suffer direct financial loss but may endure the stressful process of reversing its damaging effects such as identity theft and negative credit/credit history.
The Gazette reports on some very sad situations where a senior has lost tens of thousands of dollars in some cases to people who have preyed on them
Halton Regional Police Staff Sergeant Chris Lawson of the Regional Fraud Unit points out that” “The reality is fraud is a moving target – no sooner does word spread about one scam then it’s on to another. While the specifics surrounding a scam may differ, they are all rooted in deceit. The key is to know what to look for.”
Now in its 13th year, the aim of Fraud Prevention Month is to educate Canadians about fraud and on how best to protect themselves from it through the 3Rs: Recognition, Rejection, and Reporting. The central theme for 2017 is ‘Don’t buy into fraud.’
To accomplish this, agencies including the HRPS will carry out a number of activities and initiatives specific to their jurisdiction. In Halton, these will include:
• Weekly ‘Fraud of the Week’ press releases detailing current/popular schemes
• Increased promotion of fraud-related arrests to members of the press and through social media (Twitter (@HaltonPolice and District accounts) and Facebook)
• Live Fraud Q&A on Twitter (@HaltonPolice) on Friday, March 17 from 11:00 a.m. – noon
• Fraud information sessions for seniors offered at retirement homes throughout Halton
More information about fraud, including a number of useful links and resources, is available at www.haltonpolice.ca/about/specializedunits/fraud.php or by following the hash tag #FPM2017 on Twitter through @HaltonPolice.
By Staff
February 28th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service Regional Fraud Bureau report that earlier today they arrested two men on charges of Fraud over $5000, money laundering, and attempt to obstruct justice.
 These charges are in relation to funds donated to the head office of the OPFFA (Ontario Professional Firefighters Association) in Burlington, on behalf of families of firefighters injured or killed in the line of duty.
Between May 12, 2011 and February 26, 2014 Warren Paul ATKINSON, 52, of Newmarket, and Colin Stuart GRIEVE, 58, of Stoney Creek, conducted advocacy work to assist families of retired and deceased fire fighters from all over Ontario in applying for WSIB benefits.
The OPFFA received a complaint which caused them to conduct an internal investigation into donations. The investigation revealed several large donations to the OPFFA that were never received, all linked to ATKINSON and GRIEVE. The OPFFA contacted Halton Regional Police. The ensuing investigation resulted in the charges being laid.
Both men are due to appear in Ontario Provincial Court Milton, ON, March, 29th, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. to answer to the charges.
Anyone who may have any information pertaining to this investigation is asked to contact the Halton Regional Fraud Unit at 905-465-8965 , Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca or by texting “Tip 201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Staff
February 22, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
3 District Street Crime Unit concluded a three week investigation into a crack cocaine trafficker operating in Burlington and Hamilton.
 Evidence seized by police – included a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix – a 15 year old vehicle! Two CDSA search warrants were executed at residences in Stoney Creek & Hamilton and as a result, police seized the following:
• 12.2 grams of crack cocaine
• 45 Percocets
• 14 grams of marihuana
• $1140 Cash seized
• Indicia of drug trafficking
• 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix as offence related property
Estimated street value of seized drugs: $ 1,540.00
The following persons have been arrested and held for bail:
Jonathan HELLAM (28 years) of Stoney Creek
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Crack Cocaine (two counts)
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Percocets
• Possession of a Controlled Substance (Marihuana)
John MCKENNA (33 years) of Hamilton
• Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking Crack Cocaine
• Breach of Probation (two counts)
Investigators remind the public to utilize Crime Stoppers to report any illegal drug, gun or gang activity at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes) “See something, Hear something, Say something”
By Staff
February 21, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police, 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau – Vulnerable Persons Unit have identified and arrested two males who are alleged to have targeted an elderly female resident in the City of Burlington and subjecting her to prolonged financial abuse spanning between 2011 through to 2016.
The two accused have worked as high pressure door-to-door salesman, specializing in the installation of water and air filtration systems. The accused individuals rendered services to the elderly victim and subsequently gained access to her banking, credit card and other financial information. Presently, the financial loss to the victim exceeds $210 000.
Accused # 1: Derek CALVIN (38 years) of Hamilton is associated with a number of businesses: Pure Air Clean, Worldwide Industries, Eagle Water and Indoor Air Care Products. He has been charged with three counts of Theft Over $5000 and two counts of Theft Under $5000 contrary to the Criminal Code, in relation to the elderly female victim. He was released on a Promise to Appear in Milton Court on March 15th 2017.
Accused # 2: Edgordo CASTRO (41 yrs-old) of Brantford is associated to his company, Universal Water Technologies has been charged with Fraud Over $5000 and Unauthorized use of Credit Card Data, Contrary to the Criminal Code, in relation to the same elderly female victim in the City of Burlington. He was released on a Promise to Appear in Milton Court on March 8th 2017.
Citizens are reminded to be vigilant when engaging with any high pressure door-to-door salespeople. and to protect their financial data and identity information, especially when entering into contracts for products and services.
Citizens should ask questions, review and receive a written contract for products and services, control access to their financial information and only deal with contractors they have sought out to complete work in their home.
If citizens of Halton Region have concerns with these individuals and/or the identified businesses, you are encouraged to contact Detective Constable’s Nadine Clarke or Derek Gray – 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau – Vulnerable Persons Unit – Elder Abuse and Frauds @905-825-4747, Ext 5345 or Ext 2344.
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).
For any other Fraud related matters please contact the Halton Police Fraud Intake Unit at: 1-905-465-8741 or on-line at:
https://www.haltonpolice.ca/about/specializedunits/fraud.php
For information about Contracts and Consumer Rights please contact, The Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Protection at 1-877-666-6545, or on-line at:
https://www.sse.gov.on.ca/mcs/en/pages/default.aspx
For more information about Consumer Protection and to search Ontario businesses complaints please contact, Consumer Protection Ontario at 1-800-889-9768, or on-line at:
https://www.ontario.ca/page/consumer-protection-ontario
For more information about Frauds, Scams and Counterfeit merchandise, please contact: The Canadian Anti-Fraud Center at 1-888-495-8501, or on-line at:
https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm
March is Fraud Prevention Month – Recognize It! Report It! Stop It!
March is National Fraud Prevention month and the Halton Regional Police, along with numerous government, law enforcement, consumer and volunteer groups and private sector firms will be sharing fraud prevention information to raise public awareness and educate the public to prevent them from becoming victims of this increasing crime.
By Staff
February 17th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The manner in which police services across the country have handled sexual assault complaints from women has been the subject of reports in numerous newspapers. The Globe and Mail is currently running a series of articles on what are being described as “unfounded” decisions made by police officers.
An “unfounded” decision made by a police officer results in a complaint ending with no resolution for the person who took the complaint to the police.
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has released results of an internal audit of its unfounded 2016 sexual assault occurrences.
The comprehensive review was undertaken in response to last week’s Globe and Mail feature article by Robyn Doolittle that examined the number of unfounded sexual assault occurrences reported by Canadian law enforcement agencies over a five-year period (2010-2014).
A total of 57 unfounded sexual assault occurrences from 2016 were examined. All were determined to have been properly and thoroughly investigated. Unfounded is a Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) term that is one way for a police service to close an occurrence.
Unfounded does not mean the police do not believe a victim or person reporting. All reported incidents are fully investigated.
Of the 57 incidents examined, 15 (or 8.3 per cent) did not occur or could not have occurred as reported. In the remaining 42 cases (representing 74 per cent of all unfounded sexual assault occurrences) it was determined through the completion of thorough investigations that a criminal offence had not been committed.
In all criminal investigations there are facts in issue that must be present and proven to meet the Criminal Code requirements. In the aforementioned 42 incidents, the required elements to meet the definition of a sexual assault were not met, and therefore even if the other involved person(s) was or were known, charges could not be laid.
As a result of the review and in accordance with the recent recommendation of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) that all police services review practices around sexual assault investigations, the HRPS undertook an additional examination of existing internal policy and procedure. While found to be fully compliant with provincial mandates ensuring that all sexual assault investigations are carried out in a professional manner and in a way that best meets the needs of victims, the Service has made one revision: effective immediately, all incidents reported as a sexual assault will be reviewed by the Detective Sergeant of the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit (CASA).
“Our Service is committed to the thoroughness of all criminal investigations and we pride ourselves in our victim-centered approach to supporting those impacted by crime,” said Chief Tanner. “We were honoured to have been recognized for our efforts in this area with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Award of Excellence in Victim Services in 2016.”
In addition to in-house victim support, the HRPS collaborates with, and seeks feedback from, several independent victim advocacy groups, including Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS).
“SAVIS and the Halton Regional Police Service work closely together to enhance working relationships by collaborating in training and in providing support to victims of sexual assault and sexual violence from a Survivor Approach Model,” said Alma Arguello, Executive Director of SAVIS. “The HRPS, with SAVIS’ input, plays an important role in investigating and supporting Survivors of sexual violence in our community. SAVIS provides the HRPS with critical training and timely information to assist them in their duties.”
 Halton Regional Chief of police Stephen Tanner. The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) conducts regular audits of all municipal police services in Ontario on a rotational basis. MCSCS is about to embark on its next series of audits. Chief Tanner and the Halton Regional Police Service invite the Ministry to audit all aspects of its policies and procedures relating to the conduct of sexual assault investigations in Halton.
Chief Tanner said: “The Halton Regional Police Service is committed to the safety and well-being of each member of the community we serve. Our Service recognizes the severity of sexual assault crimes and investigates all reports thereof with the utmost respect for victims, and in accordance with provincial regulations and guidelines”.
By Staff
February 13th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
On Friday February 10th 2017 just before 7:30 PM, three male suspects followed another group of three males from the Apple Store to the Sears Store at Mapleview Mall in Burlington.
Once inside Sears, the three suspects accosted the three male victims and demanded they turn over their property. One of the suspects put his hand in front of his waistband causing the victims to believe the suspect was armed. Two of the victims turned over gold chains before the suspects fled into the mall.
 Maple View Mall has one of the most effective security teams in the city. Very little gets past them. Police were called and with the assistance of Mall Security, the suspects were located and arrested after a brief foot chase. The two gold chains were recovered and returned to the victims.
The security team at Mapleview Mall has a very tight grip on what happens on that property – few manage to get away once they have been spotted.
Three male youths (aged 13, 14 & 15) from Hamilton who cannot be named because of their age were each charged with two counts of robbery. Two of the youths were released on a Promise to Appear while the third was held for a bail.
Anyone with information that would assist investigators are encouraged to contact Det. Phil Vandenbeukel – Three District Criminal Investigations Bureau, at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2343. 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 Pepper Parr
February 08, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Policing is profitable. I know – I’ve paid more than my share of tickets.
The Court for provincial offences –as opposed to criminal code offences or financial claims is located in Burlington.
It is and is known as the Halton Court Services and it makes a bundle of money that is split between the four municipalities in the Region – Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills.
 Site plan for the new court house to be built in the Alton Village. The offences taken to this court are from Halton Regional Police Service, OPP, Ministry of Transportation, Conservation Halton – any offence that is set out in provincial legislation.
It is a busy place – so busy that a new court house is being built in the Alton Village – shovels were expected to be in the ground by now.
 Plans for the new court house were on display for those interested in the design – build – lease back the city wanted. Emshih Developments people check out the plans. The new court house will be a Design-Build and Leaseback agreement with a 30 year lease to be negotiated.
A total of 55,437 charges (75.9% of target) were filed with HCS by end of third quarter and it is expected that charges will reach 95.9% of target (70,000) by year-end. This is due to a slight decline in number of charges filed by local police (HRPS, OPP and MTO) and no filing of red light camera charges during the impending mail strike.
The place is busy enough to require an additional permanent part-time Prosecutor.
On the income side this is a nice piece of business:
The following are the financial results for HCS at end of third quarter:
• Gross revenues of $6,909,402 (81.0% of budget)
• Overall expenditures of $3,283,653 (72.9% of budget)
• Year-to-date net revenue of $3,625,749 (90.0% of budget)
 The court house on Plains Road will close when the new building is constructed in the Alton Village. Given the continuing growth in population, a moderate increase of 1,000 charges (71,000) is projected for 2017. Gross revenue for HCS in 2017 is budgeted at $8.82 million as compared to $8.53 million during 2016.
Included in the report was mention of “red light” cameras – they produce offence notices that pull in an excess of $300 for those who chose to run that red light at two in the morning.
All this goes to city council on February 13, 2017
.
By Staff
February 3rd. 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
Crime Stoppers is said to be the second best tool the police have for catching criminals – the first is the user of finger prints.
It takes time to solve a crime – which is not always something the police have.
Crime stoppers brings old crimes to the public’s attention – more often than most people realize, someone reads the document and remembers something – they call Crime Stoppers and the crime get solved.
Each month the Halton unit of Crime Stoppers reminds the public of a crime that has yet to be solved. Here is the most recent crime they are bringing to the attention of the people of Burlington:
On June 24th 2016 at approximately 1:06 PM, an unknown male suspected forced entry through the front door of a residence on Woodview Road in Burlington. The suspect rummaged through several rooms of the home before being confronted by a resident of the home who had been in the basement at the time of the entry.
Upon seeing the resident, the suspect fled out a read sliding patio door and made good his escape with several stolen items which include a black “Gucci” duffle bag with clothing a watch and a ring.
The suspect was described as: male, black, 19-20 years of age, slim build, approximately 6’0, short black nappy hair, wearing a two toned powder blue track suit and a powder blue baseball cap
Anyone with information on this or any other crime can leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by texting “TIP201” with your message to CRIMES (274637), or by submitting a tip online at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca
By Staff
January 30th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The tragedy may have been a province away but the murder of six Muslims in their temple Saturday had Hamilton Regional Police cruisers paying more attention to the mosques in the city and calls to the religious community to assure them that the police had implemented the protocol they have for situations like this.
 Increased police patrols around the mosques in the city; a heightened awareness throughout the city. In response to yesterday’s hate-motivated violence in Quebec City, the Halton Regional Police Service assured the public that it stands united with those impacted by the tragedy and is committed to ensuring the safety of all community members.
To achieve this, the Service has a number of protocols in place to respond to a range of events that impact the security and well-being of those who live, work and visit Halton.
When the Quebec attack occurred, the response of the Halton Regional Police Service was immediate and far-reaching. Measures implemented at that time and which are ongoing include enhanced patrols of places of worship and personal outreach to members of the Region’s numerous faith communities.
Chief Tanner invoked the protocol that was created for situations like this – increased patrols and a higher level of communication. Chief Tanner explained: “We continuously monitor serious events around the world such as the Quebec attack/shooting. We also review situations of elevated risk when notified of any change to Provincial or National threat assessments. At this time there is no reason to believe there is an elevated public safety risk in Halton.
That said, we will continue to monitor events locally and abroad and should a risk be identified, our response will be coordinated, scalable and meet the needs of those we serve.”
The community is showing its support through a vigil at city hall this evening beginning at 6:00 pm at Civic Square.
|
|
