 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON April 23, 2012 A 31-year-old woman in Burlington on business escaped injury after being robbed of her possessions in a Burlington hotel room.
Just after 11:30 pm, last Sunday, the woman met with an unknown man in a hotel room at the Admiral Inn, 3500 Billings Court, Burlington.
As the man opened the door to leave, two other men barged into the room. One of the men held the woman down on the bed, while the other two rummaged through the room.
The men stole electronic devices and a quantity of cash. Halton Police Investigate Robbery at Burlington Hotel
SUSPECT #1 – white, 24-25 years, 5’6″, clean shaven, skinny, short spiky hair
SUSPECT #2 – white, 25-30 years, short brown hair (armed with a baseball bat)
SUSPECT #3 – black, 30-32 years, average build, possibly wearing a coat and had scarf around his neck
 Anyone with information on this or any other crime 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).
 By Staff
The petty thieves must just love Burlington – all they have to do is walk up and down the streets and look for open car doors – and they are apparently finding dozens of them.
Last Thursday, an off-duty employee of the Halton Regional Police Service observed two young males on bicycles checking car doors in the area of Janina Boulevard and Humphreys Crescent, Burlington at 4 am in the morning.
Uniformed officers were dispatched to the area and located the youths near Brant Street and the QEW. The officers noticed one of the males was wearing clear plastic gloves and they were brought into custody.
Further investigation revealed that the males had been checking and entering unlocked cars in multiple locations throughout the night. Small items such as GPS units, an IPOD, cell phones, jewellery, a camera, loose change and miscellaneous items were taken from the vehicles.
At least four victims have been identified residing on Glendor Avenue, Bluefields Drive, Treeland Street and Esther Drive, yet police have recovered other property they are unable to attribute to its proper owner.
If you realized something was missing from your car – try the Halton Regional Police Service at 905-825-4777; they just might have your stuff in one of their property lockers. And lock the car please.. When the petty thieves realize that Burlingtonians lock their cars they`ll stop looking. Leaving your car unlocked just encourages them – and they always look for the easy pickings.
Paul Griffith-Willetts, 18 years, from Hamilton is charged with Theft Under $5000, Possession of Stolen Property and Failing to Comply with a Probation Order.
A 16-year-old youth from Hamilton is also charged with Theft Under $5000 and Possession of Stolen Property.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON APRIL 19, 2012 Sometime over the weekend of March 6th, someone snuck onto the grounds of St Patrick’s Elementary School located at 200 Kenwood Drive and spray painted racist graffiti on the brick walls.
Despite the immediate removal of the graffiti the school was targeted three weeks in a row. While the property damage is bad enough, it is the thinking behind the spraying of racists graffiti on a school that is the most troubling.
 School targeted with racist graffiti - three weeks in a row If caught early enough the behaviour can be corrected. If left to fester in the minds of whoever did this – it can lead to things like the trial going on in Norway where a racist individual committed a horrendous crime.
Catch it now before it gets out of hand. The person behaving like a racist learned this behavior somewhere – he or she didn`t pick it up from a doorknob.
 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 Staff
BURLINGTON, ON April 11, 2012 The Fraud Unit of the Halton Regional Police Service, with the assistance of the Ontario Securities Commission, has completed an 18 month investigation into the following companies, North American Carrier Services, Hillcorp International Services, Hillcorp Wealth Management, Suncorp Holdings (no relation to Suncor Energy), Exxon Holdings (no relation to Exxon Mobil) and Petro Properties (no relation to Petro Holdings).
The investigation resulted in the arrest of four individuals in relation to a $16 million investment scam that duped approximately 150 investors who were led to believe the investments they made were poised to generate large profits over a short period of time. The loss to investors has reached $8 million.
 Money doesn't grow on trees and fabulous returns are rare - ask questions and try to stifle the greed. The investigation into the investment companies revealed that investors were told the companies were investing in offshore oil securities. Using names very similar to well know multi-nationals, investors were probably thinking they were with a solid organization.
Financial Planners are required to file documents showing that they know their clients and fully understand their clients financial needs and their tolerance for risk. Investors need to make sure they know who they are dealing with – and if the deal they are offered sounds to good to be true – that’s because it was too good to be true.
The following individuals have been charged:
Paul DiNardo (52 yrs) of Burlington, charged with Fraud Over $5000 (two counts); Money Laundering (two counts); Possession of Proceeds of Crime (two counts). Presently in custody next court date April 13th 2012
Rita DiNardo (64 yrs) of Milton is charged with Fraud Over $5000; Money Laundering, Possession of Proceeds of Crime. Next court date April 23rd 2012
Danny DeMelo (43 yrs) of Milton is charged with Fraud Over $5000, Money Laundering, Possession of Proceeds of Crime, Next Court date April 23rd 2012
Steven John Hill (52 yrs) of Burlington is charged with Fraud Over $5000, Money Laundering, Possession of Proceeds of Crime. He is presently in custody next court date April 12th 2012
Anyone with information that would assist in this investigation or other persons who may have been victimized are asked to contact Detective Constable Mallinson, Regional Fraud Unit, 905 825-4747 x8740, 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).
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON April 5, 2012 Halton Regional Police Service were called to investigate a break and enter to a local residence in Burlington.
 They learned that sometime between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on April 2nd, unknown suspect(s) gained entry to a home located on Lampman Avenue. The suspect(s) rummaged through the house and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.
The police also learned that the door the thieves went through was “unlocked”.
When thieves find even one home with an unlocked door they convince themselves that there are other homes with doors unlocked – and they prowl around until they fine one. Lock your doors.
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
BURLINGTON, ON April 4, 2012 You can still see the geek in the guy as he talks about a pilot project that will help get the young rowdies off the street when Burlington`s downtown bars close at around two in the morning. The service Scott Wallace of Burlington Taxi is developing is about as non-tech as you can get and is best described as something between a paddy wagon and an ambulance.
Scott Wallace, a software developer before he got into the taxi business – and there is a connection between the two – at least there was for Wallace, appeared before a Council committee asking the city to go along with him on a pilot project that would provide a service allowing young people who have had too much to drink to be able to drive, and perhaps not enough cash in their pocket to pay for a cab and not prepared to give the parents a call,
 The 15 passenger van will serve as a cross between a paddy wagon and an ambulance and will charge $7 to get the rowdies home - safely. The service that will run as a pilot from early May to late August will consist of two vans that can hold up to 15 passengers each. One will make an eastern run while the other handles the western side of the city. While the details are still being worked out, the thinking is to have a couple of spots where young people can gather and know, that is where the van will be to drive them home. The trip home will cost $7.
Something in the order of 300 people pour out onto the streets at 2:00 am – the challenge is to clear the area as quickly as possible which means getting them into vehicles they aren’t driving before they do any serious damage.
Getting those with too much beer in their belly`s off the streets of the downtown core has been a challenge. Attempts to put this kind of a service in place during a previous administration at city hall didn’t get much past square one. This Council seems quite prepared to encourage the pilot and listen to the proposal, which has the backing of the Restaurant Association and the Burlington Downtown Business Association.
Wallace is very quick to make the point that “this service is not THE solution to the problem – it is part of the solution, or at least he thinks so and he is prepared to put some time an energy into the idea.
Are there risks involved? There certainly are. The kids that will use this service may have been Boy Scouts or Girl
 World headquarters for the 50 car + Burlington Taxi fleet. Gearing up to provide a service that will get the bar closing crowd home cheaply and safely. Guides when they were younger but with far more beer in them than makes any sense they become noisy and tend to want to topple mail boxes and pull shrubs from front lawns – usually after trying to water the plants – if you know what I mean.
“For the most part they are decent kids – just out having their version of a good time and they have to be accommodated”, explains Wallace who lives in the downtown core and is often out for a walk late in the evening and is fully aware of how much noise this crowd creates. He sees it as part of life in a city that has a part of town where there are bars and clubs.
 Possible pick up spot for the bar closing crowd - they're open until 3 am Friday and Saturday. The disruption created by these young people gets heard at Council committee meetings about once a month – the interesting thing is that no one mentions the one obvious and cost effective solution. Put more police on the street walking a beat in the bar area. There is nothing that settles a noisy, drunken youth down faster than a big beefy cop within sight. It would take four officers walking a small area for a couple of hours to settle things. Many people comment about the lack of adequate police service but that’s about as far as it goes. Just talk. Might the city of Burlington not petition the Regional Police Chief for more “feet on the street”?
Will there be bouncers in the vans ? – no says Wallace “but every vehicle has a camera that runs all the time as well as two way sound – so if there is a problem the action gets captured on video and the dispatcher knows instantly and is a button on a phone away from a call to the police.”
Burlington Taxi video footage has been used by Crown Prosecutors in the past – and, as Wallace puts it – some of these kids are not the brightest lights and they don’t realize how much technology we have going for us.
“This service isn’t going to be a money maker for us, says Wallace. “Some of my drivers would rather I didn’t put the vans out on the street – it would leave more of a passenger pool for them”. Scott thinks the city need a service like this that gets kids out of the core quickly – in this case 15 at a time in each direction – that’s 30 kids that aren’t whooping it up on the streets.
“We are just a part of the solution” says Wallace. “We need buses out on the street but the people at transit haven’t been able to meet this need” – bus service ends at 11:00 pm in Burlington. Burlington Taxi feels it can meet part of the need.
Which is what Scott Wallace is really all about. He talks about community service, social responsibility and adds “this is a great town”. I’m doing my bit to keep it that way.
Wallace created, developed and then sold a software development company that focused on taxi dispatching and vehicle tracking. “We’ve got GPS in every vehicle and software that allows us to log every trip and the revenue it produces which enables us to run a tight operation.” That operation is a fleet of more than fifty cabs, most painted a bright yellow you can’t miss.
 The bar crowd special - probably all cash fares but plastic is accepted. Burlington is a little different than many cities in that it has just corporate taxi operations – there are no independent operators. Wallace explains that a cab from Hamilton can drop off a fare but they aren’t supposed to pick up within Burlington and they don’t take calls from the city. This corporate fleet approach gives the city tighter control over the taxi business – rates are approved by the city.
Wallace continues to go to taxi conventions and is in touch with the industry – knows where the new ideas are being tried out and what can and usually cannot work. “People always want us to put more cabs on the street to meet those rush periods – but that doesn’t make economic sense. While every car is not out on the road every hour – the objective is to keep every cab out for as long as possible.”
Scott Wallace is one of those people who arrived in Burlington before the age of ten and while he has been away for periods of time growing his career he has always come back and can’t understand why anyone would want to live anywhere else.
Wallace says: “We’ve done the research and we are pretty sure this will work. We feel it’s certainly worth a pilot project.” And we will know next week if city council sees it the same way. Wallace got past the committee stage quite easily.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON March 30, 2012 On March 28th at 3:40 p.m. a ten-year-old boy was walking east along Blairholm Ave, approaching Courtland Dr., in Burlington when he saw a truck driving along beside him at his pace. It was 3:40 in the afternoon on Wednesday. The boy reported the next day that the driver of the vehicle lowered the passenger window and asked the boy if he wanted a drive home. When the offer was refused the driver then asked where the boy lived. The boy continued walking. The truck followed for another few second, made a U-turn, and was last seen westbound along Blairholm Ave.
The driver in this incident is described as male, white, tanned complexion, 30s, 5’9” – 6’0” tall, large build, medium length hair, and goatee. He was wearing a brown shirt with a gold coloured logo.
The vehicle is described as a black, older model, extended cab, pick-up truck – possibly a Ford F150. The truck had several dents and scratches along the passenger side and was generally in poor condition.
 Give them a whistle - Kids might think it silly - until they are frightened and pull it out and use it Parents might caution their children, do so carefully, that they should not accept rides from strangers and if they are being followed to slip into a store or a place where there are other people. Parents might want to give their children one of those Foxcroft whistles – there are inexpensive plastic ones available. If there is any doubt about their safety just take out the whistle and blow like crazy.
Nothing scares predators like the sound of a whistle.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905 825-4747 x2385, 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).
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON March 27, 2012 On Saturday March 24 at 11:00 a.m., a woman was seated in her parked car getting ready to leave the YMCA lot, 500 Drury Lane, Burlington. Just prior to the woman leaving, a man pulled up in his car, exited, and started a conversation with the woman. The man seemed to be expressing some romantic interests. The woman declined the advances and the man got into his car and drove away without issue.
The following morning the woman discovered a note on the windshield of her car, that had been parked in a Burlington residential driveway all night. The note made reference to the encounter that had occurred the day prior. The note contained information that strongly suggested the woman was being stalked (Criminal Harassment) by the same man.
The man who approached the woman in the parking lot is being sought as a person of interest in relation to this investigation. He is described as male, black, 30-35 years, stocky build. He is thought to be driving an older model dark blue or black VW Passat, Volvo or other similarly styled vehicle.
Earlier in the week police reported they had received a complaint about a male committing an indecent act while standing inside his residence, in front of a window and in public view.
The police arrested Anthony MATTHEWS, 51 of Burlington and charged him with Criminal Harassment, Commit an Indecent Act and Breach of Probation. Matthew was held in custody for a bail hearing.
Anyone with information that would assist in this 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 275637(crimes).
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON March 27, 2012 Halton Regional Police investigators have now determined the thieves who robbed a twelve year old girl, who was with a 12 year old girlfriend, of her iPod in the area of Duncaster Drive and Melissa Crescent, Burlington (Brant Hills Park), on March 18th, fled the area on a motorcycle that had been parked at the Brant Hills Community Centre. The motorcycle was being driven by suspect #1.
The motorcycle is described as a sport bike, predominantly blue in colour with white in areas. The motorcycle may have had lightning bolt decals on it.
 To be held up ay knife point is terrifying for anyone - for the two twelve years old girls in the Brant Hills community it was life altering. This is the kind of police investigative work that catches criminals. The guys who own that bike want to begin worrying. If you don’t turn yourself in – look for a good criminal lawyer.
The two suspects were described as:
Suspect #1 – Male, black, mid-teens, 6’, thin build very short hair. He was armed with a knife. Clothing description – grey and white patterned cloth jacket and denim pants
Suspect #2 – Male, Latin American, early teens, 5’3”, heavy build, short black hair. Clothing Description – black hooded sweatshirt, denim pants
Investigators are asking for information about anyone matching the description of the suspects that may own, operate or have access to a motorcycle similar to the one described. Investigators can be contacted at 905 825-4747 x2343, 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).
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON March 22, 2012 Last December 4th, at 1:00 am, three masked men broke into a Faversham Avenue home and stormed the bedroom of one of the residents demanding money and drugs. The victim told the suspects he didn’t have any drugs and the suspects left. Three other residents were in the home at the time.
The suspects were described as:
White, 5’4” – 5’5,” 120 lbs, wearing all black clothing and white running shoes;
White, 6’4,” thin build, dressed in black and Black, 6’3” – 6”4,” 150 – 160 lbs
Following an extensive investigation by members of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau, three individuals have been arrested and charged in relation to the home invasion.
Investigative efforts culminated in a search warrant being executed on a London residence on January 9, 2012, the arrest of Jordaine WILSON-CAMPBELL and the recovery of two pellet guns.
The remaining accused have since been arrested, the last of which occurred March 18th.
ACCUSED
Jordaine WILSON-CAMPBELL, 21 years, of London, Facing charges of Robbery, Wear Disguise and Breach of Prohibition Order (weapons)(two counts)
Matthew ROSE, 21 years, of Burlington, Facing charges of Robbery and Wear Disguise
Nicholas ZEMBRZYCKI, 20 years, of Sudbury, Facing charges of Robbery, Wear Disguise
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON March 19, 2012 A twelve-year-old Burlington girl was robbed of her iPod at knife point in the Brant Hills community Sunday evening at 7:00 pm
The victim reported walking with a friend on the sidewalk in the area of Duncaster Drive and Melissa Crescent, Burlington (Brant Hills Park) when the two girls were approached by two teenage suspects. One of the suspects was holding a knife, but made no overt threat. The suspect demanded the iPod and the victim gave it up.
The two suspects were last seen running into Brant Hills Park.
 Having someone with a knife in their hands demanding that you give them your property is one of the most terrifying things that can happen. Two 12 year old girls stood in fear in the Brant Hills community as two men robbed them at knife point. Suspect #1 – Male, black, mid-teens, 6’, thin build very short hair. He was armed with a knife. Clothing description – grey and white patterned cloth jacket and denim pants
Suspect #2 – Male, Latin American, early teens, 5’3”, heavy build, short black hair. Clothing Description – black hooded sweatshirt, denim pants.
There are two terrified young girls out there. Anyone with information 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).
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON March 19, 2012 The first red light camera in Burlington is up and running to remind drivers to stop at red lights. The camera, at Brant Street and Dundas Street, is the first of 12 red light cameras Halton Region is planning to install over the next two years to help improve road safety.
“Residents have told us that they’re very concerned about the issue of red light running in our communities,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “The fact that there’s at least one collision every week in Halton Region caused by a red light runner is not acceptable to us. We want to save lives and make our roads a safer place to be. Running red lights is not only dangerous, it’s also illegal.”
 Halton Regional Police Chief Gary Crowley, Regional Chair Gary Carr and Mayor Rick Goldring stand at the intersection of Brant and Dundas with signs telling the public that red light runners will be photographed and fined. The cameras that catch you are up and behind these three fine civil servants With almost half of Halton Region drivers surveyed stating they worry about getting into an accident when driving through an intersection and more than 60% reporting seeing a near-miss accident as a result of someone running a red light, Halton Region has installed two red light cameras – one in Burlington and one in Oakville – to help improve road safety. In 2012 and 2013, Halton will install another 10 red light cameras at strategic intersections throughout the Region.
Cameras are currently located at Dundas Street (Regional Road 5) and Brant Street (Regional Road 18) in the City of Burlington and at Trafalgar Road (Regional Road 3) and Upper Middle Road (Regional Road 38) in the Town of Oakville.
Throughout southern Ontario, red light cameras have reduced personal-injury type accidents, helping to improve the safety of intersections and enhancing quality of life. Cameras take photos of red light runners 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but only operate when a vehicle enters the intersection after the light has turned red.
The fine for running a red light is $325. Demerit points are not issued with violations detected by red light cameras.
When you run a red light a picture of your vehicle is taken and downloaded to a processing at Metro Toronto Police who do the processing for all municipalities in Ontario. Trained officers review every picture and if it is evident that the Highway Traffic Act was breached they mail you a ticket. Hard to beat when there is a clear photograph of the car going through the red light – so you might want to take your cheque book with you should you decide to fight the ticket.
 Halton Regional Police chief Gary Crowel is gearing down and getting ready to move into retirement where he hopes he can get out and do a bit more running. As a chief of police he gets to shuffle a lot of paper and pose for pictures - the actual policing days have slowed down a bit - but they haven't stopped. The only upside to all this is that you don’t lose demerit points for an offence that was captured by a camera.. If a police office were to issue you a ticket for running a red light you would lose three demerit points.
Of the $325 fine – $265 goes to the city of Burlington and $60 is paid into the Victim Fine Surcharge. The cameras are on 24/7 and they work in the dark. The cameras are standard 35mm units and cost about $100,000 annually to install and maintain – so this isn’t a cash grab on the part of the city. This is part of a program that will hopefully convince drivers to stop for red lights or pay the price if they don’t.
For those who decide to run a red light – you’re lucky if all you get is a fine. The cost of an accident is much higher.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON March 14, 2012 An daylight armed robbery on Brant Street drugstore in February
On February 17th the Halton Regional Police Service initiated an investigation into a robbery which had occurred at the “Medexpress Pharmacy” located on Brant Street. During this robbery two suspects threatened the employee with a handgun and left after stealing a quantity of prescription drugs.
On February 23rd another pharmacy robbery took place in Milton at the Derry Pharmacy. In this instance the suspects left without obtaining any drugs.
Criminal Investigations Bureau officers from Districts 1 and 3 District initiated an investigation and determined . that the two robberies were related to one another.
On March 6th 2012 police arrested two males; Bempong and Drennan. During a search of the vehicle they were in police discovered a replica handgun which was believed to have been used during the robberies. With this information police obtained search warrants for the residences of thet two suspects as well as a hotel room they were using.
The locations of the search warrants were as follows:
1) Polonia Avenue, Brampton (Bempong’s residence)
2) 2468 Lower Base Line, Milton (Drennan’s residence)
3) 40 Chisholm Drive, Milton
During the searches investigators recovered some of the prescription drugs that were taken during the robbery.
On March 9th 2012 investigators arrested a third male (Gonsalves) in relation to these robberies.
All three accused were charged and held pending bail hearings.
The men behind bars are:
Fredrick BEMONG (31 years of age) of Brampton charged with Robbery with a firearm x 2; Point firearm; Weapons dangerous x 2, Wearing a disguise; Conspiracy to commit indictable offence, Fail to comply with a recognizance and possession of a controlled substance
Graham DRENNAN (29 years of age) of Milton has been charged with Robbery with a firearm, Weapons dangerous, Breach Probation, Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, and possession of a controlled substance
Franklin GONSALVES (33 years of age) of Oakville has been charged with Robbery with a firearm, two charges. Weapons dangerous, two charges, and wearing a disguise, two charges.
Solid police work brought these three to a court room.
Pharmacy robberies have been taking place quite frequently in the Region. Drug addicts go to any length to get whatever they think will feed their addiction. Something to keep in mind as you watch the young people in your community circles. If you think there are signs of what some call “recreational use” of drugs – move quickly to get help for the drug user. There is no upside to drug use.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON March 8, 2012 The first red light camera in Halton Region is up and running to remind drivers to stop at red lights. This is the first of 12 red light cameras the Region is planning to install over the next two years to help improve road safety.
 From left to right: Halton Chief of Police, Gary Crowell; Oakville Councillor Marc Grant; Oakville Mayor Rob Burton; Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr; and Oakville Councillors Tom Adams and Max Khan. Note that the only people smiling are the politicions. The police chief is going to have to enforce this law. “The fact that there’s at least one collision every week in Halton Region caused by a red light runner is not acceptable to us,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “We want to save lives and make our roads a safer place to be. Running red lights is not only dangerous, it’s also illegal.”
To help improve road safety across Halton, Halton Region has worked with the Halton Regional Police Service on various road safety programs in the past addressing issues such as speeding and drinking and driving.
Red light cameras take photos of red light runners 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but only operate when a vehicle enters the intersection after the light has turned red.
Burlington is to get its Red Light camera March 19th when there will be a photo op at Brant and Dundas.
No mention was made in the press release on how much was spent on these red light runner detectors.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON March 8, 2012 It was reported as stolen but it may have been more of a prank. A Boothman Avenue resident left a car idling in the drive way. That’s a no, no – Burlington has an anti-idling by-law.
 Sometime after 6:40 a.m. on March 6th, someone other than the owner of the car, a 2002 Hyundai, drove it out of the driveway and abandoned it later on Easterbrook Avenue. At that time of the morning I think we are looking at a commuter heading for work – he would have been late that morning.
The Hyundai Accent was not damaged. There is no suspect information as this time.
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 Staff
BURLINGTON, ON March 2, 2012 On February 29th around 8:30 p.m., a fifteen-year-old female walking west along Plains Road East from Maple Avenue to Spring Gardens Road noticed a vehicle that seemed to be following her. The vehicle, a van, was spotted several times travelling back and forth along Plains Road, as well as being seen parked at various commercial properties along the route. The female believed she was being followed.
As the female approached Spring Gardens Road the same van pulled into a driveway, turned around and blocked the sidewalk directly in front of the female.
The van’s tinted passenger window was lowered just a few inches and the male passenger told her to get into the vehicle.
The female replied that she was calling the police on her cell phone and the van sped away.
The passenger in the van has been described as white, with brown hair. No other descriptors are available. The vehicle is described as a white van with tinted windows. A sticker was seen on the left side of the rear window.
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).
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON February 29, 2012 It was more than a jolt for the young woman walking south on Brant near Prospect when she noticed a silver minivan exiting from a private driveway on the east side of Brant Street near Prospect Street.
The vehicle stopped directly in front of the youth and the front passenger window was lowered. The female observed the driver committing an indecent act while staring at her.
The minivan then travelled southbound on Brant Street and may have turned westbound onto Ghent Avenue.
The driver is described as male/white, late 30’s to early 40’s in age, with a scruffy beard, big black sunglasses and wearing a black leather coat.
Brant Street has seen other criminal activity – an armed robbery took place in the same area recently.
D/Sergeant Ray Bruce, Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau, 905 825-4747 x2315 would like to talk to you if there is any information you can provide.
If you’re not comfortable with talking to the police directly use 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).
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON February 23, 2012 An historic bench mark in public safety was achieved by the Halton Regional Police in 2011 with the lowest crime rate since regionalization in 1974.
Specifically, there were 1,259 fewer criminal offences reported in Halton in 2011 (13,678) as compared to 2010 (14,937), according to the Halton Regional Police Service’s year-end crime statistics which were presented at today’s Police Services Board meeting.
When Regional population growth is taken into account, this represents a significant 10.4% decrease in the overall crime rate since last year – and the lowest rate in 37 years.
 Chief of police reports lowest crime statistics since the force was regionalized in 1974. Now he can retire, which he will do in June. “When a community that is already as safe as Halton sees this kind of significant decline in criminal offences, it speaks volumes about how effectively everyone, including the police, the public, our community partners, and the media are working together for public safety,” said Chief Gary Crowell.
In more good news for home and business owners, Halton’s property crime rate dropped by 13.0%, with 10,025 offences committed in 2011. Crimes in this category include theft, breaking and entering, mischief, counterfeit currency, arson, fraud and the possession of stolen goods.
The breakdown of types of crimes committed remained virtually identical to previous years, with property related crimes comprising 73.3% of all criminal offences committed in the region; violent crime such as robbery, assault and homicide equalling 18.8%; and other crime such as prostitution and offensive weapons representing 7.9%.
One trend Chief Crowell is not pleased to see in the Region is an increase in motor vehicle collisions. Despite a 19% increase in traffic enforcement by police, motor vehicle collision totals were still 10.1% higher in 2011 compared to 2010 (up from 7,649 to 8,425). Property damage collisions were up 10.5% and injury collisions were up 8.2% year over year. Of most concern, the number of fatal collisions increased from 13 in 2010 to 15 in 2011.
“As police, we are doing everything we can by using a combined approach of enforcement, education and engineering to improve traffic safety, however far too many people are still being injured or killed on our roads,” said Chief Crowell.
“There is no question distracted drivers, impaired drivers and aggressive drivers are posing a serious risk to themselves and others. I cannot say it any more clearly: motorists must slow down, focus on the road, and do not get behind the wheel while under the influence of any substance which could impair response or judgment.”
Crime rate is the number of offences committed per 100,000 people. Statistics Canada and police use crime rate measurements to give the most accurate comparison of criminal activity between communities with different populations, and within a single community over different time periods.
The statistics paint a very satisfactory picture for a police chief heading into retirement. Chief Crowley will turn in his badge and his weapon in June .
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON February 22, 2012 Burlington Bowl at 4065 Harvester Road was broken into early Sunday morning at around 3:30 am. People as yet unknown forced open the front doors of the building and accessed the ATM machine inside. A quantity of cash was removed from the machine and suspects fled prior to police arrival.
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).
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON February 17, 2012 There was an armed robbery at a pharmacy on Brant just before noon on Friday. Two armed suspects entered the Medexpress Pharmacy located at 809 Brant St., Burlington.
One suspect pointed a hand gun at the clerk and demanded prescription drugs – the clerk complied. The suspects fled the store, last seen running eastbound on Prospect St..
Suspect : Description – male, black, early 40’s, over 6ft tall, medium build. Clothing – all black clothing, wearing ski or motorcycle goggles.
Suspect 2: Description – male, black late 30’s, over 6ft tall, medium build. Clothing – black coat, grey scarf over face, light coloured pants.
Neither of the victims was injured.
Anyone with information that would assist in this 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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