 By Pepper Parr
July 10, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
Now it gets interesting. We got an email from a source who says: “So I am involved in a lawsuit involving a downtown Burlington Restaurant owner. I am currently trying to put him in jail.”
The writer had my attention. First thing I had to do was verify that the writer actually wrote the email. Yup – it was real.
The writer continues: “His lawyer emails me the other day and states: “My client has recently advised me of his friendship and political connection with Councillor Rick Craven.
The source goes on to add that there a was a meeting with “the litigant” (that’s the guy the source wants to put in jail) and Councillor Craven regarding downtown events. To be open, I told the arts person I was having coffee with that I was in the process of trying to put “the litigant” in jail.
Now that is a hot news item. Don’t know yet who the restaurateur is, do know that the source of the information is running for office as well. We expect to speak with others on this story later in the week.
 By Staff
July 9, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
The Lowville Golf Course on Britannia Road had late night visitors, without membership cards, who broke a glass door and loaded 14 golf bags and one set of golf clubs into a cube van and drove off.
Two male suspects drove a rented cube van, with unknown marker/decal on it, onto the property and parked it outside the entrance to the pro shop. They smashed the glass on the front door to gain entry.
Suspect #1:
Male, white
Approximately 20 – 35 years old
Lean build, tall
Wearing a dark coloured baseball hat backwards, dark handkerchief over his face, black sweatshirt, black skinny pants, and dark shoes. No gloves.
Suspect #2:
Male, white
Approximately 20 – 30 years old
Lean build, medium height
Wearing a dark coloured hoodie with his hood pulled up over his head, dark green knee length shorts and white running shoes. No gloves.
Three other golf pro shops in the surrounding Hamilton area have been broken into over the last few weeks.
Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to contact D/Sergeant Ron Hansen of the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext 2315, or
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
By Pepper Parr
July 7, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
Late in 2012 we ran a police drug bust story on a 24 year old Hamilton resident who was charged with Possession of Cannabis Resin for the Purpose of Trafficking, Possession of Cannabis Marihuana over 30 grams, Possession of Psilocybin, Possession of Ecstasy, Production of Cannabis Marihuana, Possession of Cannabis Marihuana for the Purpose of Trafficking.
This was a drug trafficker with a significant inventory. We did not follow up on this information to find out if there was a conviction.
Several days ago we got an email from the drug trafficker asking if we would remove the story because it was “causing trouble in my job career as people are Googling my name and I am having difficulty holding a job due to this. Can we please have this removed as I do not wish to pursue this legally and go through the court system as I’m sure you guys don’t wish to waste your time in the courts either.
 Some of the evidence gathered in a drug raid is truly scary – the weapons are very real. This photograph shows drugs in its early form – it gets refined and moved through the supply chain. And make no mistake about these drugs – there is a demand. “It has been over 2.5 year that this event occurred and it would be greatly appreciated if my name and the other names be removed or blanked out. If I don’t receive a reply within the next few days to weeks I will have no choice but to contact a lawyer and take this to court, again I really don’t wish to do this as it would just be a waste of time and money.” The writer provided us with an email address and we contacted him saying we would have our lawyers be in touch with him to arrange for the receipt of any claim for damages he might wish to serve on us.
The young man replied: “I didn’t mean to threaten you in any way, I just wish to have my life back in order. This is creating a huge burden for me, I just wish to have it removed with little work as possible (meaning no lawyers, judges and so on), it’s just a waste of time for everyone.”
There are a number of readers with very strong views on the damage the drug trade does. We sent this along to one of them who came back with:
Too bad buddy. Your name is out and you have to deal with the choices you made in your life; that is one of the consequences of criminal behaviour. Why make a potential employer Google your history; why not disclose your past and try being honest because that is your only hope to fix any damage you may have caused to yourself. Your threats for a potential damage claim are laughable. Drug dealers are the ones that cause all the damage.
I am a parent who has tried desperately to fight off drug dealers for many years in an attempt to save my children from the life destructing effects of the drug world. I hate drug dealers. Through my experience and ongoing education of how the drug world works, I can tell you that drug dealers cater to kids as young as 9 and 10 years old; that is very disturbing. My kid got fed cocaine from an adult drug dealer at the age of 14. That adult drug dealer now knows I know, and he carries that burden wherever he goes out in public and also where he lives; that type of constant feeling of being shadowed by a loving parent cannot be a good feeling, but, it is one of many consequences of being a drug dealer.
There are others, and I believe from personal experience that a parent’s efforts do not go unnoticed by all those active in the drug world. Dealers do not like publicity, so it is somewhat comforting to know that once in a while we get to know who these people are through media and police bulletins. Another method is to go to the courtroom and sit and witness all these idiots get processed through the system; this is all ultimately public knowledge. It is actually quite a pleasant feeling to watch as the names of dealers get exposed.
 When there is a major drug bust the police frequently lay out all the evidence to be photographed and then make the pictures available to the media. It is all part of the regular media work they do, which includes the name of the accused. But it is not easy to find who the drug dealers are and more importantly where the supply originates. I am one of those parents who likes to find out, because I want to know where and why tens of thousands of dollars of my money went as a direct result of these scumbag dealers that lurk amongst the rest of the people in society. It takes a long time to recover from the effects that these dealers bring upon the rest of the world; similar time as this goof now trying to get assistance to hide his past. This will take a long time buddy, and you deserve every minute of your struggle and waiting time. Accept your frustrations now as a bit of payback for your dealing actions. Your other option is to return to dealing; nobody will deny you that type of access to work; you can start today; no Google.
I want this information posted on a billboard at a busy intersection; names and pictures of all the drug dealers. It would be a very good deterrent. I will pay for the billboard. It can be a place where other parents, ones that may not be as active in the fight against this scum, can come to see who these people are that are killing our children. Parents have a right to know who is killing their children.
The writer of the above is a respected professional that we have met. It will be interesting to see if his views are shared by others.
As for the drug dealer – we think he has some work to do to convince the community that he deserves a second chance.
 By Staff
June 30th, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
They are doing it again. This time the identity thieves are using Amazon as the skirts they hide behind.
 We didn’t place this order. We got this notification of an order we are supposed to have placed – we didn’t place any such order. We now buy most of our books from A Different Drummer Book store.
However we have in the past purchased from Amazon and it is conceivable that I might have thought my wife placed an order and I would want to see what was bought.
The moment I click on that link – they have me. They then begin to suck information out of me and, if I am gullible enough, they might convince me to give them credit card and banking information. Once that happens you can almost hear the sound of their sucking money out of your accounts.
If it doesn’t look real – then it probably isn’t. That is especially the case with the internet.
Caution, always caution.
By Staff June 27, 2014 BURLINGTON, ON. The Halton Regional Police have concluded their investigation into a series of graffiti ‘tags’ that were discovered in east Burlington during June 2014.
 Is it good art? The utility company didn’t think so. The pink and grey were a good contrast though.  Little doubt that these two “works of art” were done by the same person. Between June 1st and June 19th 2014, several community locations were damaged with spray paint (including a bell box, fence, mail box, decorative rocks). Police received information regarding the suspected source of the damage and on June 27th 2014, a Criminal Code Search warrant was executed at a Burlington residence. Officers discovered evidence relating to the graffiti incidents and arrested the occupant without incident. In addition, several prohibited knives and brass knuckles were also discovered and seized as a result of this investigation. Accused: Sonnie Benardi, 30 years, Burlington was released on a Promise to Appear in Milton Court – July 23rd 2014) He has been charged with: Mischief to Property (7 counts) Possession of a Prohibited Weapon (10 counts) Possession of a Controlled Substance (Contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act)
By Staff
June 15, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
They are relentless.
They send the emails out by the hundreds of thousands.
Their costs are minimal.
They need one of two things – people with more greed than common sense or people who don’t fully understand internet technology and what happens when they click on a link.
This is particularly difficult for seniors who can remember the day when they had phones run by a local operator who made the connections.
 If you click on that box your problems will have just begun. It means being vigilant – if it doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t and if you don’t understand what you are being asked to do – then don’t do it. And if it sounds too good to be true – then it isn’t true.
Set out below is the most recent scam. We do not bank with CIBC. How the fraud artists got our email address is beyond me – it’s not hard to get. That address will get bundled with millions of others and sold to someone who will then use that list to send out millions of email – all they need is one and they make more money with that person than they make in a year.
Some people have been ruined because they clicked on what they saw as a great opportunity. For the fraud artist it was a great opportunity.
 By Staff
May 28, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
It is the offence that cuts into the hearts of parents whose children are sexually molested.
Parents trust their children to teachers, coaches and others that play a part in the growth and development of their children.
When a person in a position of trust and authority abuses that trust the reaction is one of total and complete revulsion, especially when there are young people involved. All but impossible for a parent to look behind the abuse – it is foul, despicable and cuts to the core of what we as a society can bear. Too much – punish.
The Halton Regional Police continue to investigate sexual assault allegations against Sean Hewson as additional victims have come forward. Hewson was a Sailing Coach instructor.
On Tuesday, May 27th, 2014, Halton Police laid an additional sexual assault and sexual interference charge against Sean Hewson.
The Court has imposed a publication ban which was put in place on May 23rd, 2014.
Mr. Hewson has been remanded to Thursday the 29th of May, 2014 where police will be laying more charges in relation to a sixth victim.
The Halton Regional Police encourage anyone with information to contact D/Sergeant John Mans, Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Bureau at 905 465-8760.
The community’s task now is to aid in the investigation and to be part of the healing and recovery of those assaulted. This is a very hard time for many.
By Staff
May 26, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
 The police are on the prowl for a Dodge Caravan – beige. Last week an estate home in the City of Burlington was broken into; Wednesday May 14th at 11:50 am to be exact.
Two suspects entered the home and targeted jewellery. These two suspects are associated to a 2005 Dodge Caravan, beige in colour.
Are you getting the connection? The police would like to find that van.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ellie Bale, 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext 2312 or ellie.bale@haltonpolice.ca or,
Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at Crime Stoppers or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 By Pepper Parr
April 18, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Covering city hall means listening to people talk. After a while you get to know pretty well what a council member is going to say. You can`t watch a group of people for three years and not learn something about each of them.
There are four newbies; three council members and a Mayor who have grown in their jobs to various degrees and as we get further into the election campaign we will write about what we have observed.
There are two other groups we get to listen to: staff and the reports they deliver and delegations. Some staff members do fine work, a few are superb – some made the wrong career choice.
It is the delegations that are really interesting. Some are there to represent an interest group; some are there to complain, others to ask for something very specific and some are at the podium to tell a story and hopefully influence council.
Those delegations that are appearing for the first time are the most interesting. We never know what it is they want to say.
 In some communities children like this go hungry on the weekends. Like every advocate for the less fortunate, Lena told stories about individuals and the impact they have had on her and her organization. She wanted Council to hear how difficult it is for some people. The family where the father had to go on disability and the mother who gave up working to take care of the father. It wasn`t long before the savings were gone and the family was relying on food banks and social support.
Truthfully, I tend to tune out for many of these delegations. Council always listens politely realizing there isn’t much they can do – social welfare is a Regional responsibility
Lena Bassford and Food4Kids saw the need and began providing packages of healthy food for kids aged 5-14 years with limited or no access to food each weekend.
Packages are prepared by volunteers and delivered to schools each Friday to ensure children have nourishment over the weekend. There were 1,200 children in Hamilton and 500 children in Halton going without food on the weekends. Food4kids took the position that when kids leave school for the weekend, they should not have to worry about how they will be fed.
Bassford explained how her organization works with other groups; Food for Life; Food for Thought and the school boards which was the capture point for Food4Kids.
Then Lena made a point and my head snapped up – she described a boy that was standing outside a school early in the morning – and in an instant I realized she was talking about me.
The boy, part of a single parent family, three children and a mother with a grade four education who worked as a domestic. Mom was paid $5 a day and car fare. On those days she didn`t get paid – “I don`t have any cash in my purse, I`ll pay you next week “– meant Mom walked home and we had Habitant Pea Soup for dinner.
There were no food banks in those days. When there wasn`t soup in the house we would get sent to the Stop & Shop with a note for Reggie the manager and came home with some food. We always thought Reggie was an uncle, he was around the house quite a bit.
As Lena Bassford talked she mentioned the social cost of not ensuring children had food in their stomachs. A student can`t concentrate on math problem when their stomach is growling. When the household situation is really bad – petty theft begins and sometimes grows to the point where a boy figures it out. I don’t have to go without – I can just take what I want; my hands are fast enough and if they see me I can run very fast.
Or the boy meets other boys who have stealing down to an art form. And the realization that this is a way to gets what you want sets in. The male family figure isn’t in the house, there are no core values being taught, there are no values being handed down.
 As a society we are quite happy to pay for social workers, police officers, correctional people (jail guards), prisons, lawyers, judges, parole officers – the list of people in place to handle people in conflict with the criminal justice system is astounding. If a quarter of that money was spent on prevention – making sure that 10 year old boys got fed on the weekends, we would save society a lot of money, a lot of grief and a lot of pain. Of course all the people in the criminal justice system would be without jobs
Lena Bassford explained the Food4Kids core concept: they provide packages of healthy food for kids aged 5-14 years with limited or no access to food each weekend.
Packages of healthy food are prepared by volunteers and delivered to schools each Friday to ensure children have nourishment over the weekend. There are 1,200 children in Hamilton and 500 children in Halton sustaining each and every weekend without food.
 For many children Bassford explained “hunger isn’t just an occasional missed meal; it is a way of life. Children who live with hunger develop physically and socially at a slower pace than their peers. Chronically hungry children experience higher levels of anxiety, hyperactivity, irritability and aggression. Chronic hunger results in students with lower attendance rates at school and lower academic performance. Even relatively short-term nutritional deficiencies can negatively impact a child’s health, causing cognitive and developmental damage that prevents them from performing at their full potential.”
Councillor Lancaster asked the obvious question: What do you do in the summer? Bassford explained that a program is in the process of being developed that will provide food for these kids during the summer break.
What does it cost to provide the complete program annually? $500,000 – of which every penny is raised by the organization. Note a dime from the municipal, regional, provincial or federal governments. That’s about what we spend for five police officers.
By Staff
April 16, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Halton Regional Police investigators have arrested the serial bank robber who has targeted banks in Burlington, Oakville and Kitchener over the past four months.
 Police said the man in this picture had no fixed address when he was arrested for bank robbery. He has an address now – jail. On Tuesday April 15th, 2014, police followed a suspect to Guelph where he was observed entering a Bank of Montreal on Wyndham Street before an arrest could be effected. The suspect exited the bank several minutes later and was arrested without incident at which time it was revealed that he had just committed a robbery inside the bank. All money from this robbery was recovered.
Arrested: Danny William MILLER (49 yrs) of No Fixed Address (Held for Bail Hearing)
Charged with: Robbery (Nine Counts) contrary to Section 344 of the Criminal Code and
Wear Disguise while committing robbery (Nine Counts), contrary to Section 351(2) of the Criminal Code.
Bank staff in Burlington and surrounding communities will be a lot more at ease.
Background links:
BMO on Brant Street robbed.
Police believe they are looking for a serial bank robber.
By Pepper Parr
April 9, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
The Region just might be looking for a serial bank robber – and this kind of situation has the potential to become very, very dangerous.
The Halton Regional Police are investigating a series of bank robberies that occurred between January 3rd and April 8th 2014.Police believe the same suspect is responsible for eight robberies in Burlington, Oakville and Kitchener.
- January 3rd, 2014 Bank of Montreal – 519 Brant St. Burlington
- January 29, 2014 Bank of Montreal – 2 King St. Kitchener
- February 18, 2014 Scotiabank Robbery – 64 King St. W. Kitchener
- February 18, 2014 Scotiabank Robbery – 1258 King St. E Kitchener
- March 5, 2014 C.I.B.C. – 197 Lakeshore Rd. E. Oakville
- March 25, 2014 C.I.B.C. – 575 Brant St. Burlington
- April 2, 2014 Bank of Montreal – 239 Lakeshore Rd. Oakville
- April 8, 2014 Scotiabank – 320 Speers Rd in Oakville
The suspect is described as:
Male, white
Approximately 5’10” to 6’2”
Large build, 200-250 lbs.
Chubby face with a wide jaw
Wearing dark sunglasses, blue jeans, a black hoodie with dark a coloured plaid jacket and a multicolour scarf.
Anyone with information on these robberies is urged to contact Detective John Ophoven, 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 Ext 2343 or Detective Sergeant Ron Hansen at 905-825-4747 Ext. 2315 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting ‘Tip201’ with your message to 274637(crimes).
Regional police will add more images should they become available. They can be found on the web site.
Background links:
BMO on Brant Street robbed.
Friday bank heist.
By Staff
April 7, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Willie Sutton, a full time bank robber was once asked why he robbed banks. “Because that’s where the money is” he replied. Two bandits have figured that out and have taken to cracking open ATM machines in what they see as quiet places.
Friday evening, April 4th 2014, at 4:24 AM, a break and enter occurred at Rexall Pharmacy located at 2400 Guelph Line in Burlington.
Two unknown suspects pried open the front doors to the store and then used a large gas cement saw to gain entry into an ATM machine.
The suspects fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash from the ATM. The same suspects are believed to be responsible for similar entries in Hamilton, London and Windsor.
Suspect Descriptions:
Male, 5’9″ to 5’11”, 160 to 190 lbs, average build wearing a black head covering which concealed his face and neck, plain white long sleeve shirt, black gloves, black pants and white short cut running shoes.
Male, 6’0″ to 6′”2″, 250-280 lbs, large overweight build wearing a black head covering which concealed his face and neck, plain white t-shirt overtop oa black long sleeve shirt, black gloves, black pants and dark work boots.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Vince Couce, 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext 2307
By Staff
April 2, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
A provincial government agency, Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) successfully prosecuted a Burlington refrigeration operator for working with a forged Operating Engineer certificate.
Jeff Bennett of Burlington, Ontario was fined $4,000, plus the mandatory 25% victim surcharge, for a total penalty of $5000, for violating safety regulations under the Technical Standards and Safety Act, 2000 (the Act), by the Ontario Court of Justice in Burlington.
Following an investigation by TSSA, it was determined that Mr. Bennett worked at Wave Twin Rinks located at 1175 Northside Road in Burlington without holding a certificate as a Refrigeration Operator B Class or a Fourth Class Operating Engineer. Mr. Bennett had misled both management and the Chief Operator, pretending to have completed his exams and passing off a forged certificate, purporting to be a Refrigerator Operator Class B.
Mr. Bennett pled guilty to knowingly providing, using and displaying a false certificate of qualification
“This is a serious violation of Ontario’s public safety rules,” said Mike Adams, Director of TSSA’s Boilers and Pressure Vessels, and Operating Engineers Safety Program. “Mr. Bennett flouted critical safety rules, put himself and his colleagues at needless risk, and sullied the good name of power engineers.”
In Ontario, operating engineers must possess valid TSSA certification, which ensures all operators are properly trained and familiar with Ontario’s safety rules. If in doubt of an operator’s certification, contact TSSA toll-free at 1- 877-682-8772.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is Ontario’s public safety regulator mandated by the Government of Ontario to enforce provincial safety regulations and enhance public safety. Throughout Ontario, TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, ski lifts, and upholstered and stuffed articles. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.
 By Staff
April 1, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Some people will get taken in by this. If they bank with the Royal Bank of Canada they might click on that link – and that could well be the beginning of a process that moves your money from your bank account to someone else’s bank account.
 What’s the give away here? Look at the address of the sender: rcbroyal – if it were legal it should have read rbcroyal. Also the srvcustom r – spelling error. Most important – a Canadian bank would never, ever send you a notice like this. If you are at all active on the internet – and it’s hard not to be – you need to be vigilant. There are literally tens of thousands of people pumping out phony messages that are intended to steal your money from you.
At a quick glance they look genuine and they catch your attention.
This latest one, purported to come from the Royal Bank is pretty easy to spot as phony but you do have to look beyond the bank logo which is in the message to give you comfort that it is your bank talking to you.
Just pay attention – and you should be OK. Unfortunately, if money does get removed from your account – it will not be easy to get it back.
Background links:
They will go to almost any length to fool you.
By Staff
March 31, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
If you were expecting a parcel to get to you by mail – we can now tell you why it didn’t arrive. The Halton Regional Police – 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau teamed up with Canada Post Inspectors to conduct an investigation into thefts which occurred at the Canada Post Depot located at 1396 Guelph Line in the City of Burlington. The Thefts involved mail parcels which had not yet been delivered.
 Some of the property recovered by police look like Christmas gifts. Suspect released on promise to appear. As a result of the investigation, police have executed two search warrants and recovered stolen property with an approximate value of $8500.
Former Canada Post contract employee, Thomas Edmund DAVIS (32 yrs) of Burlington has been arrested and released on a Promise to Appear in Milton Court on April 16th 2014, charged with the following offences:
Break, enter & theft
Theft of mail
Theft under $5000
Possession of property obtained by crime
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Mark Urie of the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext 2338 or Canada Post Customer Service at 1-800-267-1177
 By Staff
March 27, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON
On Wednesday March 26th shortly before 11:00 am, a citizen reported seeing a suspicious white truck and a male going door-to-door along Teal Drive in Burlington.
Police converged on the area and located a residence which had been broken into and a laptop was stolen. A search of the area failed to turn up the white truck or suspect however the stolen laptop was located and appears to have been discarded by the suspect on Tanager Avenue.
Several witnesses reported seeing the male running through numerous backyards and into the passenger seat of the white truck on Partridge Drive which then took off at a high rate of speed.
No description was obtained for the driver of the white truck however the suspect in the entry is described as a white male in his 20’s wearing a hat, navy blue and black puffy knee-length jacket, black pants and white running shoes.
Police are seeking assistance from area residents who may have information and/or surveillance cameras which might assist in identifying the suspect and/or the suspect vehicle and its’ driver.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Mark Urie of the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau, Residential Crime Team at 905 825-4747 ext 2338.
Alternatively, anyone with information on this or any other crime can anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting ‘Tip201’ with your message to 274637(crimes).
Burlington is clearly a city with citizens who notice suspicious behaviour and report it to the police quickly.
 By Staff
March 25, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
The Halton Regional Police Service is reaching out to the public to assist in identifying a suspect involved in a bank robbery.
Just after 10:30 am this morning, Tuesday March 25th, 2014, a lone male entered the CIBC Bank at 575 Brant Street and demanded cash.
No weapons were seen on the suspect or observed by bank employees. No one was injured.
The suspect was given a quantity of cash and he subsequently left the bank last seen walking northbound on Brant Street.
 Suspected bank robber at the tellers wicket. No one was injured – cash was taken. Suspect Description:
Male, white
40 to 50 years of age
Approximately 5’10” to 5’11″”
Large build, 200 lbs
Wearing blue jeans and a black hoodie underneath a plaid coat, dark sunglasses and a black ski mask with a baseball cap.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective John Ophoven, 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 ext 2343
Bank robbery suspect captured on security camera walking towards the tellers. Anyone with information on this or any other crime is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting ‘Tip201’ with your message to 274637(crimes).
This is the second bank robbery in Burlington within the last three months. In January the Bank of Montreal was held up by a lone male bandit. Police dogs were brought in but the scent was gone. No arrest was made yet for that robbery.
Background links:
BMO on Brant Street robbed in January.
 By Staff
March 21, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
In the early morning hours of March 21st 2014, The Halton Regional Police, Burlington Strategic Support Team (SST), concluded a drug trafficking investigation that resulted in three arrests and the execution of a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a Burlington residence
Seized as a result of the Investigation:
323 grams of marihuana (approximately 11.39 ounces/ 0.71 pounds),
1/2 gram of Cocaine,
The drugs have an estimated street value of $2600.00.
The following persons have been charged:
Gary DEAN (22 yrs) of Brant Street in Burlington (Held for Bail)
- Trafficking a controlled substance (marihuana)
- Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of a controlled substance (Cocaine)
- Breach of Probation
- Breach of Recognizance
Colleen MCCAIG (24 yrs) of New Street in Burlington (Released on Promise to Appear in Milton Court on April 29th 2014)
- Trafficking a controlled substance (marihuana)
- Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) for the Purpose of Trafficking
- Possession of a controlled substance (Cocaine)
James VAN VIEGEN (27 yrs) of East 42nd Street in Hamilton (Released on Promise to Appear in Milton Court on April 22nd 2014)
- Possession of a controlled substance (marihuana) under 30 grams
- Breach of Probation
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)
 By Pepper Parr
March 19, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
They are at it again.
The graphics on the email certainly look real enough. Anyone doing business with the CIBC might well be fooled enough to click on the link that they say you need to use to ensure that your account card is not de-activated.
 Looks official enough. But this is a total and complete hoax. It’s a hoax – we got the message – but we don’t have an account with CIBC.
There are some people who will respond to this – and they will give out personal details – that’s where the problem begins.
Are we not close to the point where there can be some form of policing to handle stuff like this?
 By Staff
March 18, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
Tax time approaching and those who choose to steal instead of work for a living have found that they can often fool people into giving them information which they then use to take your money from you.
The Halton Regional Police are advising the public of a scam involving fraudulent communications mimicking the Canada Revenue Agency.
 The message frequently looks like this. This is not the way the government communicates with you. Ignore it – don’t even click on any of the links. You might get an email that looks like it comes from the Canada Revenue Agency telling you there has been a mistake or a reassessment and that they are owed a refund. They are then asked to provide detailed personal information telling you it is required to process the refund. They will ask for full name, address, date of birth and social insurance number. They might ask you to provide personal banking or credit card information. The moment you give them this information they can begin pretending they are you and start taking your money.
Fraudsters have gone even further, telephoning individuals directly, stating that they owe back taxes in the amount of thousands of dollars and threatening them with arrest or deportation if they are not paid immediately.
The CRA does not request personal information of any kind by email and has a formal process in place for those who owe taxes and would never demand cash payment immediately.
Halton Police encourages individuals who receive such communications to take a moment and consider the following:
Are you expecting a refund from the CRA?
Does this sound too good to be true?
Why would the CRA be asking me for personal information that they would already have on file?
Are you confident that you know who is asking for the information?
Your best protection is to avoid taking immediate action and contact the CRA directly to confirm if in fact you are owed a refund or are required to make a payment.
Anyone with information on this scam can contact Halton Police Fraud Investigators at 905-825-4747 ext. 8739 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
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