Male in early twenties walks into path of a Via Rail train near Cumberland: killed instantly.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON. January 31, 2013   Shortly after 6:30pm yesterday Halton Regional Police were called to investigate a fatality involving a Via train and a pedestrian in Burlington.

A lone male pedestrian, in his early twenties was observed entering onto the CN tracks in the area west of Cumberland Avenue. The man was seen approaching from the south side of the tracks, crossing  two sets of tracks before entering into the path of a west bound Via Rail passenger train, which was carrying passengers at the time.

The pedestrian was struck by the Via train and pronounced dead at the scene. A second west bound Go train which was travelling a very short distance behind the Via train in the middle track was also carrying passengers and delayed by the incident, although not involved. The tracks were closed for approximately two hours while police investigated the incident.

Halton Regional Police Collision Reconstruction Unit attended and assumed control of this investigation. None of the passengers of either train sustained injury from this collision.

The police would appreciate hearing from anyone who may have seen the victim in the area of the incident prior to the collision . Call the Halton Police Collision Reconstruction Unit.  Detective Constable Oliver Caves, 905-825-4747  ext 5124 is the investigating officer.

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Halton Police investigating a suspicious fire in Aldershot; arsonist shown on security camera footage. Amazing pictures.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON  January 30th, 2013  At around 6:30 a.m. Friday, January 11th, an O.P.P. officer was approached by a citizen and advised that a nearby business at #650 Plains Road E. appeared to have had its windows smashed.  Upon further investigation it was also determined that the premise and a neighbouring business had been flooded by water.

Burlington Firefighters and Halton Regional Police officers were called to the site.  It was soon determined that a fire had triggered the sprinkler system inside the building.  Due to the nature of the origin of the fire, police have deemed the fire suspicious.  No injuries were reported due to this incident.

The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall has some of the best forensic minds in the country doing the investigations.   They have rarely seen the kind of footage found in the Aldershot pizza store fire.

The building was secured and the Ontario Fire Marshall (OFM) notified.  The Halton Regional Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU), which also investigates fire scenes, was called and commenced an investigation with Forensic Identification Services officers.

A joint investigation between an OFM Investigator and the CRU will be conducted.

That investigation has produced some security camera footage that is amazing.  You see the crime taking place and in several places the video is taken into slow motion giving a viewer an opportunity to look carefully at the person being filmed.  The footage is of an arsonist at work – seldom seen.

The arsonist is wearing hood making it very difficult but there might be enough for someone to identify the arsonist.

Halton Regional Police are appealing for anyone with information on the deliberate fire set on January 11, 2013 at 650 Plains Road E in Burlington to contact The Collision Reconstruction Unit at 905 825-4747 x 5065, 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).

 

 

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They got them – the three who beat up a taxi driver are under arrest – but they could use that witness to get a solid conviction.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON  January 29th, 2013  Three thugs who didn’t want to pay a taxi driver who hauled them from Hamilton to a Woodview Avenue address in Burlington were arrested and charged with assaulting the driver of the cab.

Detectives from the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau arrested and charged:

Paul SMITH, 22 yrs of Hagersville;

Jonathan VORICH, 20 yrs of Burlington;

Alanna-Marie VORICH, 19 yrs of Burlington,

with Aggravated Assault and Fraudulently Obtaining Transportation charges.

The crime took place Saturday January 26, 2013 at 2:30 p.m., when a dispute over the taxi fare broke out and escalated to a physical altercation, that had the taxi driver being knocked to the ground.

A passerby intervened and assisted by calling 9-1-1, however he did not identify himself to the call taker at the time.

Police and EMS responded and the taxi driver was transported to an area hospital where it was learned he sustained several fractures to his arm and face.

Halton Police would like to talk to the witness that made the 911 call.  If the police happen to be people you don’t want to talk 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).

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If the weather channel doesn’t do it for you – you can now look at maps with crime locations,

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON  January 24, 2013   Effective immediately, Halton residents can access neighbourhood-level crime incident data from the previous day, week, or month, or even search as far back as six months ago through a new crime mapping function that can be accessed through the Service’s website www.haltonpolice.ca.

“Providing reliable, timely crime data to the communities we serve is one of our top priorities, because an informed public is a safer public,” says Halton Chief of Police Steve Tanner. “This partnership with CrimeReports gives us the ability to keep the public informed on a regular basis as to what is going on in our community.”

Police dispatch data is stripped of personal information, including the exact address, and sent securely to CrimeReports.com, which hosts the crime mapping software.  The public can access the data through the Service’s website, under the Crime Files/Mapping navigation button.

Each of the small coloured squares on the map indicates a crime – theft from an auto, a break and enter or an assault. Click on the graphic and you get some detail.  Will you be safer with this information – probably not.  Will you feel safer?  Maybe – nice toy which we are paying for.

Incidents reflected on the map will be shown within 100 numbers of the address, to protect individual’s privacy, while still being within the general vicinity to give people an accurate idea of crime in their neighbourhood.

The crime mapping data will include police-dispatched calls for property damage, sexual assault, assault, robbery, break and enter, theft, impaired driving, homicide, attempted murder, offensive weapons, drug-related offences, and various traffic-related offences such as impaired driving, hit and run, and motor vehicle injuries and fatalities.

“Information is power,” Chief Tanner added. “We hope that by giving the community this information, it will help them understand crime trends and better enable them to assist us in preventing crime in their neighbourhoods.”

The public can access the free crime data through the Service’s website or through the CrimeReports iPhone app, available for free download in the Apple iTunes store. The new service even lets local citizens sign up for free customizable email updates, so they can monitor crime in their neighborhood, or click to link to the CrimeStoppers of Halton website to file an anonymous crime tip.

The HRPS asks the public to keep a few things in mind when accessing the software:

• In order to access the data, people will need to first read and click a disclaimer

• It takes a few minutes for the map data to load, depending on your internet connection. Please be patient.

• Map data is based on dispatched calls, not completed investigations so therefore incident codes may change.

“Police are often dispatched to a call that initially may be reported as a one type of crime and later turn out to be unfounded or another type of crime.  In such a case, the call will appear on the map as initially reported but later be removed or changed,” explained Chief Tanner. “The crime map data is as accurate as possible, but not 100% fool-proof given the evolving nature of police investigations.”

This looks like one of the ideas Chief Tanner brought with him from Kingston where he was the top cop before he came to Burlington.

LATER:  Having read what the police had to say about the service I logged in – and sure enough there is a map with little squares in different colours that tell me the kind of offence that took place.  There was a drug bust over on Inglehart – not too far from me and a theft from an auto on Walkers Line but nothing on my street.

So what does this service do to keep me safer?   I guess knowing that there was a drug arrest on my street would let me know there is a dealer nearby if drugs are my recreation of choice or tell me that I can keep an eye out for “suspicious” behavior and call the police.   Noticing that there were a number of auto break-ins in the area might get me to ensure that my car is locked before I bed down for the night.

And of course there is an App for this too – so I can keep up to date on crime on my street while on the GO train.  Or – I can add even more to my overflowing email box and get a notice sent directly  to me telling me what’s happening in the “hood”.

There is no mention of what the service is costing – it can’t be free but it sure is a  whiz bag toy if there is nothing on TV – I guess.

Ain’t technology great?

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It happens in our communities as well. Youth uses Facebook to threaten others; Burlington police arrest Oakville youth.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON January 16, 2013   Earlier in the week the Burlington detachment of the Halton Regional Police Service were made aware of a threat that had been posted on Facebook.

The threat involved a youth who had posted a picture of himself on Facebook holding a high-powered rifle with a caption uttering a threat towards another male.

This is NOT the picture the police found on Facebook but it is the kind of thing that misguided young men mostly put on Facebook pages. Burlington police were able to apprehend an Oakville youth before the threat he had issued went any further.

Police investigated and were able to determine where the photo had been taken which had members of the Burlington Criminal Investigation Bureau seize two shotguns, shotgun ammunition and the rifle depicted in the photo.  The accused was located and arrested without incident.

A 17-year-old Oakville male whose identity is protected under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act has been charged with Utter Death Threat; Use Firearm in Commission of an Offence and Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm

We all know where this picture was taken: Newton Connecticut where 20 elementary students were killed by a young man with a rifle. Has the American gun culture reached Halton Region?

Threats of violence posted to social networking sites will be actively investigated by the Halton Regional Police Service in an effort to enhance community safety.

We tend to think this kind of stuff happens south of the border – it is happening here as well.  Parents need to be vigilant.

 

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Driver of car that struck a 5 year old at a school crossing charged.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON.  January 16, 2013  On December 5th 2012, the Halton Regional Police Service Collision Reconstruction Unit commenced an investigation into a motor vehicle collision outside Maplehurst Elementary School on Plains Road East in Burlington.

A five-year old kindergarten student had been struck and seriously injured by a motor vehicle that also struck the school crossing guard.  Both parties had been on the crossing at the time, and both are now recovering from their injuries.

Location of the motor vehicle accident where a car struck a kindergarten student and a crossing guard.

As a result of this investigation, David Paterson, an 80-year old Burlington resident, has been charged under the Highway Traffic Act with Fail to obey school crossing stop sign – Community Safety Zone.

Mr. Paterson is scheduled to appear at Burlington Provincial Offences Court in March.

As Burlington population ages, and the city is expected to have an elderly population greater than those in neighbouring communities, this kind of accident is going to take place more frequently.  Seniors will insist on being allowed to drive.  Public transit is such that people can only get where they want or need to by driving a vehicle.

At some point most of us will have to turn in our driver’s license – painful and many of us will fight it.  But there comes a time when we should not be behind the wheel of a car.

That child was five years old.

 

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Vandals take it out on the little merchants: two locations in one plaza are broken into along with six others in the city

Staff

BURLINGTON, ON.  January 14, 2013   The Mountain Grove – Guelph Line – Upper Middle Road part of town took a bit of a hit from the vandals over the weekend.  Two stores were broken into along with an additional six stores elsewhere in the city.

Police investigate these crimes but they can’t be everywhere all the time.  Solid policing happens when community co-operates with police – if you see something that doesn’t look quite right – it probably isn’t quite right.

Give the police a call – they have enough in the way of cars on the road to get to almost any place in a couple of zip zips.

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Police need help identifying two males suspected of thefts from vehicles and fraudulent use of stolen credit cards

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON  January 10, 2013  If there was ever any doubt on the message behind the Regional Police Lock it or Lose It campaign these photograph  should convince you to lock you car and never leave valuables where they can be seen

A Beachway Park resident left a purse in a car that had a credit card inside it. The purse was stolen and the credit card used at a nearby ESSO gas station and at an area Best Buy location

On January 6, 2013 a purse was stolen from a vehicle at Beachway Park and a stolen credit card was later used at a. nearby ESSO gas station and at an area Best Buy location

Police believe these two men are responsible for thefts from cars in the Beachway Park community and for the fraudulent use of credit cards stolen from those cars.

On January 9, 2013 police were once again notified of a purse being stolen from a vehicle while parked at Beachway Park.  An attempt to use a stolen credit card was made later that day at a Burlington business.

In the January 6th  incident the suspects were observed in a 1999 Black Dodge Ram 1500 with an Ontario plate of AA76725 affixed.  The truck had been previously reported stolen from the City of Toronto.

SUSPECT #1 – white, 30-35 yrs of age, 5’11”, average build with a fair complexion, wearing a black toque, brown plaid scarf (Burberry style), black waist-length coat, blue jeans and white running shoes

SUSPECT #2 – possibly south asian descent, 25-30 yrs of age, 5’10”, heavy build, wearing a black toque, plaid scarf, black waist-length leather jacket, blue jeans and white running shoes.

There have been car thefts throughout the region.   Time to be more careful.

These are probably crooks from Toronto.  Anyone with information that would assist in identifying the pictured individuals is asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 x2315, Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting ‘Tip201’ with your message to 274627(crimes).

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Kilbride collision puts two in hospital – shuts down road for more than four hours. Serious but not life threatening injuries.

 

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON.  January 8th, 2013  A serious collision on Cedar Springs Road in the Village of Kilbride, shut down traffic for a four and a half hour period while the Regional Police Collision Reconstruction unit investigated.  Alcohol use is not being considered a factor.

Shortly after 6:00 pm, a white Dodge Ram pickup truck was traveling north on Cedar Springs Road, approaching the intersection with McNiven Road, when the vehicle crossed the centre line and collided with a southbound VW Jetta being driven by a 36-year old Burlington woman.

Intersection on Cedar Springs Road where accident put two in hospital.

After being extricated from her vehicle by Fire Department personnel, the female was transported to Hamilton General Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.  The driver of the Dodge Ram, a 58-year old Puslinch man was transported to Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington with less serious injuries.

Police will not be releasing the names of the involved drivers, and due to the early stages of the investigation, no comment will be made on charges, although alcohol is not being considered as a factor.

Anybody with information regarding this collision, who has not already spoken to police, is asked to contact the CRU at (905) 825-4747 ext. 5056 or 5065.


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Robber breaks into cars big time – has been charged with 17 counts of theft. Many from cars with unlocked doors

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON  January 7, 2013  Is it because we are the second nicest city in Canada to live in?  Is it because we perceive the city to be a safe place so there is nothing to worry about.  OK, so there are a few break ins, some small thefts but we don’t have a crime problem do we?  Our homes are safe places and our cars are safe in our driveways – aren’t they?

Apparently not. Halton Police recently arrested a man and charged him with 17 offenses – all related to breaking into cars – and there wasn’t much breaking in to do – most of the cars were left unlocked.

On January 3, 2013 at 3:30 a.m., an alert citizen,  in Acton, contacted police to report a man breaking into vehicles on his street.

A concerted response by uniform officers resulted in the quick arrest of an Acton man who when apprehended, was in possession of several stolen items.

The investigation to date has determined multiple vehicles were entered on Greenore Crescent, Cameron Street, Kingham Road, Church Street East, Gould Crescent, Wright Avenue and Birchway Place all in Action.  If it is happening there – it can happen here as well

Jeffery McBEAN, 26 has been charged with 17 counts of Theft under $5000 and two counts of possession of stolen property.

Deputy Police Chief Andrew Fletcher (he’s the one with all the gold braid) and Auxiliary police officer Voorberg putting a notice on a vehicle that had objects of interest to thieves. This was the kick off of the Lock It or Lose It campaign.

The vast majority of the incidents involved vehicles that were left unlocked, this despite a recent Provincial Campaign, ‘Lock it or Lose it’, aimed at urging motorists to lock their vehicles and keep valuables out of sight.

These particular crimes are largely preventable by simple crime prevention techniques including:

–  Parking in an enclosed garage OR well lit area.

–  Never leave valuables in plain sight OR remove from vehicle entirely.

–  LOCK your vehicle.

Residents in the Alton Community,  north of Dundas and west of Appleby Line,  have a system that allows one person to tell others electronically that something is going on.  The Alton resident’s, who have organized themselves with an electronic service that gets word out on problems in the community, sort of like an electronic Neighbourhood Watch, recently sent out an alarm and the person breaking into cars was nabbed.

This reporter was taking part in the media event at which Halton Police launched their Lock It or Lose It drive and got a notice from police on the spot that he had left a purse sitting in the front seat of the car and got a warning notice.

It is surprising that cars being broken into are not stolen as well.

Lock it or Lose It – these guys are out their – 17 charges – that’s going to keep this one off the streets for a period of time – hopefully.


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Not the best way to start the year for a Burlington bandit.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON  January 5th, 2013   A 39-year-old Burlington resident didn’t wait to be identified by those who knew him; after robbing a Burlington convenience store New Year’s Eve and being captured on a video camera, waving a long knife and tapping it on the store counter, Adam Craig Cipolla walked into the Waterfront Hotel on Lakeshore Road at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 5th, 2013, approached the reception clerk and demanded money

He left empty-handed after learning that there was no money accessible.  The clerk immediately called the Halton Regional Police.  No weapon was seen and the clerk was not injured.

Minutes later, the man was seen nearby and was arrested by uniform patrol officers

Look closely – that is a very large knife this robber is threatening a store clerk with.  Police believe the robber to be Adam Craig Cipolla who later attempted to rob a desk clerk at the Waterfront Hotel.

Adam Craig Cipolla, 39 years, of Burlington has been charged with:  Robbery,  Robbery with a Weapon and is being  held for a Bail Hearing.

Police released security camera footage on Friday and asked the public for help in identifying the convenience store robber.  The footage is shown below.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at (905) 825-4747, extension 2315; 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).

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Boy – was that ever brazen – the thief taps the blade of a long knife on the counter. Is this someone you recognize.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON  January 4, 2013  The Halton Regional Police released a video of a suspect being sought in a Burlington Variety store robbery.

In the video they thief can be seen tapping the blade of a viciously long knife on the store counter and when given a handful of cash shoving it in his pocket and walking out of the store.

Click HERE for the short clip.  Also shown below – you can share it.

It was so brazen, the thief even pushed his winter had a bit off his forehead giving the camera  a more complete look.

This one isn’t going to be hard to catch – share this one.

They are small, install easily and inexpensive. Less than $100 for a decent one. The man captured by a camera like this while he robbed a Burlington convenience store will get to watch the video during his trial.

The Halton Regional Police released the video surveillance footage of the Burlington robbery in an effort to identify the person responsible.

The footage is available for viewing at:

Anyone with information concerning the suspect’s identity or regarding the incident is asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 x2315, 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).

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Is this what they mean by pickled?

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON. January 4, 2013  On January 3, 2013, at about 3:20pm, the Halton Police received a complaint of an erratic driver in the area of Appleby Line and Dundas St in Burlington.

Halton Police located the male party who was subsequently arrested for impaired driving. Breath tests revealed the driver had more than five times the legal limit of alcohol in his system at the time of his arrest.

Charged with Impaired Driving and Driving with Over 80mgs of Alcohol per 100 ml of Blood is:

Steven Keenan 37 years of Burlington.

 

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Christmas Day Stabbing at Kent Crescent residence has one male in critical but stable condition and two others under arrest.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON  December 25, 2012   At the earliest possible hour,  just past that time when many parents have wrapped the last of the gifts, tidied up the place and readied it for children that would squeal with glee as they unwrapped gifts later in the morning, someone in a Kent Crescent home plunged a knife into the chest of another person in the house.

Police responding to the family dispute call found one male stabbed in the chest and arranged for him to be transported to Hamilton General Hospital where he remains in critical but stable condition.

Two other adult males found inside the residence were placed under arrest.  All involved parties are known to each other and charges are pending.  HRPS 3District (Burlington) Criminal Investigations Bureau is continuing the investigation

Any witness or person with information is asked to contact Detective Andy Forde at 905-825-4747 ext. 2316.

 

 

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Sharon McGregor has a message for you – she wants to tell you about her son Matthew.

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON.  December 20, 2012  The past few days we’ve all seen the television news and watched saddened grief stricken parents bury their children – after a senseless brutal shooting spree that an apparently disturbed young man went on at an elementary school in his community.

We wonder why things like this have to happen and we struggle to understand.

Sharon McGregor understands the hurt, the loss and deals with the hole in her heart every day of her life

During the upcoming holiday blockbuster movie season, thousands of people enjoying a night out at the movies in Halton will get to see a powerful 30-second video highlighting the painful consequences of impaired driving on an Oakville mom.

The video alternates between smiling images of 17-year old Matthew McGregor and heart-wrenching statements from his mother about how his sudden death has impacted her and her family.

Matthew victim of a drunk driving a car.

“The powerful testimonial of Matthew’s mother, Sharon McGregor, will hopefully make people pause to stop, think, plan ahead and not drive impaired,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “We want Halton drivers to feel safe on our roads. Road safety is a top priority for Halton Regional Council and by partnering with the Halton Regional Police Service, we’re working together to make sure this holiday season is a safe one for everyone.”

The video, created by Halton Region and the Halton Regional Police Service, will be shown to more than 125,000 movie-goers in theatres.  A three-minute companion video featuring more details about Matthew’s story and what people can do to stop impaired driving will soon be available on the Region’s web site. 

“Matthew’s story is a tragic and unfortunate real life example of what can happen when alcohol and driving mix,” said Halton Deputy Chief of Police Bob Percy. “It demonstrates that tragedies have occurred in our own backyard and are not simply some random clip we see on the news. We need to commit to ongoing attention to road safety to ensure everyone has a safe holiday season.”

Through the Halton Drive SAFE (Safety Awareness for Everyone) program and the Safe Roads…Your Call campaign, drivers can see signs throughout the Region reminding them to call 911 if they see a suspected impaired driver on the roads. Impaired driving is a crime in progress and one call could save someone’s life.

Most residents are also familiar with the Holiday R.I.D.E. (Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere) campaign conducted by the Halton Regional Police Service. During last year’s campaign from December 1-31, 2011, Halton Regional Police stopped 17,396 vehicles; administered 564 roadside breath tests and made 37 arrests for impaired driving.

There is a dedicated police team that has a crew out on the roads every day and night between now and the first days of January.  The police know where the hot spots are and, this year, much like last year and the years before that – the police will arrest people who should not be behind the wheel of a car.

Drink if you wish but before you reach for your car keys – think of Sharon McGregor and the day she had to bury her son Matthew.  That accident didn’t have to happen.  You, yes YOU can prevent the next death by calling a cab or asking a friend to drive you home.


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Five youths fight back and get away from two thugs who held the group at knifepoint.

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON  December 19, 2012   I don’t know if you’ve noticed but each time we run a short piece on a crime that has taken place in the city; usually within a month or so – there is a news release of an arrest.  Not every time – but more often than the criminal community realizes.

The Regional Police just seem to be on top of the ugly stuff that takes place.  This time it was at 3:20 a.m., five people, ages 17-20 years, were walking in the area of Brant Street and Leighland Road, Burlington when they were approached by two suspects, one brandishing a knife. The suspects threatened the group with the knife and demanded valuables.

Five youths were attacked by two thugs armed with a knife at this intersection very early in the morning.  The youths fought with the robbers and managed to get away. Police urge everyone not to fight back – whatever the thieves want isn’t worth the risk of being badly hurt.
Does that mean we give in to the thieves and let them take what we own? They win – we lose; unless the Courts punish in a way that deters.

The victims resisted the suspect’s demands. During the confrontation one victim was punched by a suspect and fell to the ground. Immediately afterwards, another victim was threatened with a knife, who then broke from the group and ran to get help. The suspects chased the victim for a short distance along Brant Street before abandoning the chase and leaving the area.

The 17-year-old female who was punched, suffered minor injuries.

Suspect #1 – Male, white, 20 years, 5’10’’-6’0″, skinny, short blond hair (bit of curl), scruffy blond facial hair, large eyes. Clothing: White puffy jacket, white bandana (with black pattern) around neck, dark jeans.

Suspect #2 – Male, white, 20 years, 5’10’’-6’0″, skinny.  Clothing: Black winter hat, black jacket with hood, black skinny jeans.

The police add:

In addition to the ongoing criminal investigation into this incident, police wish to remind the public of measures they can take to protect themselves from being the victim of a street robbery.

Robbery and assault are serious crimes with money often being the motivator.

The basic rules of prevention include:  staying in groups, walking in well-lit areas and being alert to your surroundings.

If someone attempts to rob you, DO NOT resist.  No piece of property is worth serious injury or death.  Report the crime to police forthwith and attempt to describe those responsible accurately.

Additional safety and security tips can be found on our website under the ‘Community Policing’ tab.

 

Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 x2315, 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).


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Are we importing our criminals from Toronto? They aren’t fitting in very well.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON  December 13, 2012  A uniformed  patrol officers responded to an intrusion alarm from a commercial business on Morris Road and found  three suspects loading scrap metal into a van. The suspects all fled, but were captured following a brief foot chase.

A father took his son on a field trip to teach him how to steal scrap metal; both were arrested. Pathetic

A little digging around revealed that the suspects had cut open a locked gate to gain entry into a business compound, then cut a hole in the fence of the adjoining business. The suspects then broke into a storage trailer and stole scrap metal and fabricated metal products related to the business.

All stolen product was recovered and valued at approximately $1500.

ACCUSED:

• Bruce MacInnis – 48,  Bruce MacInnis, Jr. and  Sheldon Kendall – 50 were charged jointly with  yrs

• Break and Enter (two counts)

• Possession of Stolen Property

• Possession Of Burglary Tools

All three had Toronto addresses.

That father and son team is pathetic.


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Stolen cell phone use leads to arrest of young thief.

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON  December 11, 2012  They were never described as the smartest people in the room; police arrest suspect in cell phone robbery cases because the culprit thought he could use the phone and not get caught.

It wasn’t a “cold case” just the kind of plodding detective work that police do as they track down people who take things that don’t belong to them.

As part of an ongoing investigation by the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau police were able to arrest one person involved in robberies that took place October 5th and October 6th.

A 17-year-old Hamilton youth has been charged with two counts of robbery and one count of possession of stolen property. A cell phone belonging to one of the victims was recovered.  Does this suggest the thief used the cell phone that was stolen?  That was a smart move.  The identity of the youth is protected under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Efforts continue to identify the remaining two suspects.

Anyone with information that would assist in the investigation is asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 x2315, 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).

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Police officer catches journalist in the act of doing something stupid. You didn’t lock it Mister, you could lose it.

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON  December 7 2012  In the world of journalism you are supposed to cover the story – not become the story.  And becoming  the story when a handful of the city’s finest are involved can get a little sticky.

A posse of Halton Regional police greet visitors to Tansley Wood on Friday as they spread the Lock it or Lose it story to area residents.

The Halton Regional Police Service announced it was launching  its ‘Lock it or Lose it’ campaign at the Tansley Woods Community Centre.  Deputy  Chief Andrew Fletcher was to be on hand along with other Senior officers, District personnel, Police Cadets and Auxiliary Police.

I had a couple of things I wanted to talk to the Deputy Chief about so I drove over to Tansley Woods, parked my car and headed for the lobby of the building and noticed that there were police officers going from car to car. “Those miserable buggers”, I muttered to myself, handing out parking tickets.

Went into the building chatted with the deputy Chief and then headed back out to my car to pick up my camera and noticed there was a police officer standing beside my car writing up a ticket.  I broke into a trot to catch the police officer’s attention and ask why I was being given a ticket – there was no sign saying I could not park.

Auxiliary police officer Voorberg tucks a notice under a car windshield as Deputy Chief Andrew Fletcher makes sure it gets done right. Both were taking part in the Lock it or Lose it Campaign that was launched at Tansley Wood Friday morning.

Then I realized where I had gone wrong.  I was attending an event where police were telling the public to not only lock there cars when they parked but to put anything valuable under the seat or in the trunk and not leave them out in the open, where thieves could smash the window and grab your stuff.

The wife wants to know what the police notice is about; the purse, a gift from her had been left on the front seat of my car. The wine glass belongs to the wife.

Breaking into a car in broad daylight at Tansley Woods was a bit of a stretch but it does happen as Auxiliary police officer Voorberg  politely told me when he handed over the warning notice.

The “Lock it or Lose it” initiative is an important public service.  It is first a proactive crime prevention program that encourages drivers to take precautions to protect their vehicles and vehicle contents from theft, particularly during the holiday season.

“Our police service is joining police services across Ontario this holiday season in urging motorists to lock their vehicles and ensure valuables are not left in plain sight,” said Deputy Chief Andrew Fletcher. “The Lock it or Lose it campaign is about police working with our community to ensure we all take precautions so that crime doesn’t ruin the holiday season.”

Under ‘Lock it or Lose it’, police officers examine parked vehicles to confirm they are locked and that no valuables have been left in plain view. Officers place a small notice on vehicles checked indicating what safety precautions were neglected and offering some simple prevention tips for drivers to protect their vehicles against theft.

In 2011, 82,411 vehicles were stolen in Canada. The good news is that auto theft was down nationally by 12 percent, with Ontario down by 9 percent. Unfortunately, Ontario auto theft still amounted to just more than $93 million in 2011. This cost is passed onto the consumer.

Since January 1st, 2011 to December 1st, 2012, there have been 4261 reported incidents of theft from motor vehicles in Halton Region. The vast majority of these thefts were preventable if motorists had secured their vehicles and valuables.

Thieves recently went through the Orchard community stealing anything they could find in cars that were not locked.

Gotta learn to put my purse underneath the seat or in the trunk of the car.  The purse was a gift from the wife and as you can tell by her picture – this is not a woman to trifle with.

 

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One arrest led to evidence of four robberies; Halton Police arrest culprits for cell phone robberies.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON  December 6, 2012 The  Criminal Investigations Bureau arrested two men for their role in a series of commercial break and enters which targeted cellular telephone stores. These entries occurred in the early morning hours while the stores were closed.  Suspects forced entry using a rock and sledge hammer.

Subsequent to the arrest of the accused two Criminal Code Search Warrants were executed at their homes in Brampton.

During a search of the homes investigators seized several cellular telephones and a quantity of accessories that are believed to have been taken during the entries.  Police also located additional evidence linking them to these crimes.

They couldn’t resist stealing all those cell phones

Based on the investigation the accused are believed to be responsible for the following break and enters:

August 10th, 2012 – Rogers Plus Store located at Unit “C” – 2500 Appleby Line in the City of Burlington.  The value of the damage caused to the premises during this entry was estimated at $1,500.00.  Nothing was taken.

August 24th, 2012 – Worldlynx Wireless Store located at 330 Guelph Street in the Town of Halton Hills.  While inside the pair took several wireless routers valued at $1,200.

November 21st, 2012 – Rogers Wireless Store located at 850 Main Street East in the Town of Milton.    While inside the men took cell phones and accessories valued at $7,800.00.

December 3rd, 2012 – Future Shop Store located at 3060 Davidson Court in the City of Burlington.  While inside the men took cell phones and accessories valued at $29,280.00.

Brian MOORE, 26, of Brampton and Kevin THOMAS, 20 of Brampton are charged with four counts of break and enter, breach of recognizance, and possession of stolen property.  Both men were held for bail.

Investigators remind the public to utilize Crime Stoppers to report any illegal activity at 1 800 222-TIPS (8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes).


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