Crime « Burlington Gazette - Local News, Politics, Community

Bump up the kids allowance – there might be a $100. ticket to pay. Skate board fines might be in the works.

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON October 6, 2010 – Redo that budget and get in some money for the $75.00 fine the city wants to levy for those caught using their skate boards on city streets. Add the victim fee and that $75. which will get you as close to $100. as you want to be.

The city isn`t all that concerned about the money – it just wants to find a way to be able to control the people that are behaving recklessly and feels that a $75. fine will do the trick. Problem with the fine is that there are all kinds of legal and Highway Traffic Act concerns.

This is a delicate area – just about every kid that doesn`t use a bike, uses a skate board to get around and the law as it stands now says you cannot use a skateboard on a public road. You can use it on a side walk or in the bike lane. All the police can do now is talk to you – there is no penalty for them to levy.

The city thinks that giving the police a tool they can use will solve the problem – and when they do that they shift that problem to the police who are going to be expected to exercise discretion.

The problem is with gangs that see skate boarding as almost an extreme sport. Ward 1 councillor Rick Craven reports that there are kids who gather at night on Kerns Road where the hills and the grades are great for skate boarding. They get out there with a van and a video camera, film the thrill ride of someone speeding down the hill and post it on You Tube. The police are powerless for the most part because even if they do catch the kids behaving recklessly they can only warn them off.

Council wants to give the police a bigger stick and wanted to talk about ways that a system of fines could be put in place. But they didn`t want the police to be slapping a $75. ticket on every kid using a skate board on a public street – they wanted the police to use their discretion.

Can you imagine drivving up the street and seeing this coming at you? Not reckless but not the safest thing to do either.

Police didn`t attend the Committee of the Whole meeting – city staff said they were invited, the police say they weren`t. Our information from our media man at Regional Police was that :“ I have spoken with the Burlington Operational Inspector who advised me they were aware of the meeting you are referring to, but they (police) were not asked to be in attendance for it.“ Go figure. Methinks staff were being a little disingenuous. The police are aware of the problem and they too would like to see a solution. They are the people that have to attend when there is an accident and report that a young person has suffered serious head injuries.

Giving police the ability to issue a ticket and then expecting them to use their discretion reflects a bit of misunderstanding as to what police do. They are there to enforce the law. Give them clear rules and they will do their job – expect them to use their discretion and you invite nothing but problems. I suspect too that traffic offence lawyers will have great fun with this one should a ticket case every get to traffic court.

That said, there is a problem. Kids are creating dangerous situations in parts of the city where there are really good hills they can speed down. The city put up signs saying Skate Boarding was Prohibited – the kids tore down the signs.

The problem however is not limited to parts of the city with steep grades. Recently there was a serious accident involving a van and a young man on a skate board who was luging along a flat street. Luging is when a person lays flat on a skate board. The driver of the van just didn`t see the person on the skate board.

This problem is going to call for some very creative thinking by people who are very familiar with the Highway Traffic Act. A new fine of $75. and expecting the HRPS to exercise discretion isn`t the answer to this problem.

Educating the kids isn`t going to solve this problem either. The vast majority of the kids who glide along quiet residential streets with buds plugged into their ears meaning they don`t hear traffic approaching are harming no one. It is just a few that are creating a problem – let`s find a stick that won`t cripple them when they are hit with it – but let`s not put our police in a situation where they have to solve a problem we can`t solve.

The Highway Traffic Act says that bicycles can be used on the streets. Blades and boards can be used on a sidewalk or in a bicycle lane if one exists. Can you imagine the howls from the public if all the skate boards are suddenly on the side walk ?

Sergeant Dave Cross, the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) media man, advises that HRPS does not have a Skate Board Swat Team, so we shouldn`t expect to see cruisers out on the prowl along Kerns Road every night

And as for Officer who gave me a speeding ticket for doing more than 60 on Walkers Line, ( I thought the limit was 80) – he did exercise some discretion and cut it back a bit and saved me some points. Will that kind of discretion solve our skate board problem ? Is it worth a try ?

The officer who caught me was parked behind a cluster of bushes – are we going to see officer hiding in hedges along Kerns Road with bicycles at the ready to race after skate board miscreants ?

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Mad chase through Hamilton streets, bear spray doesn’t stop Halton’s finest. Got their man then headed for the showers.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON September 29, 2011 A couple of Halton Regional Police plainclothes officers drove over to Hamilton to locate a suspect they wanted to put handcuffs on. The suspect had some outstanding arrest warrants in both Halton Region and Hamilton. Investigation led to a residential address on Victoria Avenue. The police were permitted access to the house by the home owner for the purpose of arresting the suspect.

Two officers went downstairs identifying themselves verbally as police and located the suspect hiding in a crawl space. The suspect sprayed the officers with bear spray, forcing them to retreat from the enclosed area.

Two other officers, stationed outside the house, noticed the suspect emerging from a trap door underneath the front porch. The suspect immediately sprayed those officers and fled.

Despite the effects of the spray and hampered vision, officers continued to pursue the suspect, while he continually sprayed them. The suspect was eventually apprehended.

You can imagine how ticked those police officers were. One of the officers sustained a serious knee injury when he ran into a fire hydrant while chasing the suspect who was spraying bear repellent at anyone who came near him. It must have looked like a scene out of wild west movie.

The suspect was identified as David Thomas of no fixed address. He was charged with Assault Police (three counts); Breach of Probation (two counts); Fail to Comply with Recognizance (two counts) and possession of a Controlled Substance. Did you know that bear spray was a controlled substance. Hamilton police assisted in the arrest. And Mr. Thomas now has a fixed address.

Another heavy equipment theft in Burlington. Insurance rates may rise soon. Crime Stoppers could use your help.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON September 29, 2011 – The construction industry took another hit the past few days. A loader was stolen from a Longmoor Drive construction site

The equipment was valued at more than $170,000 so you know it wasn’t taken away in a wheel barrow. If you’re offered a chance to buy a 2008 John Deere Loader, Model 544J, take a pass on the offer and give 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)

There are always equipment thefts from construction sites – the contractors need to find ways to better secure the equipment at night and on weekends and the police might make a practice of driving by known construction sites regularly but randomly as well.

Perhaps the police could provide a service that allowed contractors to call in and let police know there is equipment on a site. They could then do drive byes and keep an eye on things. The thieves will figure out the sites are being watched and look for easier picking.

Property damage to retail location on Fairview. Video surveillance captured images. Can you help?

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON September 22, 2011 – Stupid senseless property damage from youth out on the streets at 3 am resulted on the windows of a Fairview Street retail outlet being broken.

Police have some surveillance video and are screening that looking for information that will lead to the culprits. Surveillance video depicted a group of four male youths walking by the store, when one of the males intentionally smashed the window and continued walking on. It could not be determined what was used to smash the window.

Suspect is described as male, white, 20-23 years, 6’2,” stocky build, light coloured, crew cut hair. He was wearing grey hooded sweatshirt (black and white pattern on the interior lining) and blue jeans.

Police provided the photograph shown above and would like to talk to the person in the picture. Use Crime Stoppers to report to the police if you wish.

A surveillance photo of suspect was obtained from a nearby convenience store, just prior to the incident. Police would like to talk to the man in the picture.

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)

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Must be more police on the drug beat – several arrests the past couple of weeks. Hamilton man faces several charges.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON September 20, 2011 Halton Regional Police Drug and Morality Unit have been working a drug trafficking case since last July and bagged their man yesterday.

Worked as an undercover operation the investigation into the trafficking of crack cocaine in the City of Burlington began with the purchase of 1.75 grams of crack cocaine.

On September 16th another transaction was arranged by the undercover officer. It was also completed in Burlington. After the purchase had been made the accused was arrested for these offences. A search of the accused and the vehicle he was driving resulted in the seizure of $760.00 dollars in currency, a digital scale, 4 cellular telephones, and approximately 14 grams of crack cocaine.

The street value of the drugs seized was $1100.00 Germaine Nicholson, 20 of Hamilton, was held pending a bail hearing. He was charged with two counts of trafficking in cocaine, one count of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and a third charge of possession of proceeds obtained by Crime. They really want this guy.

Investigators remind the public to utilize Crime Stoppers to report on any illegal drug, gang, or gun activity at 1 800 222 TIPS(8477).

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Pharmacies are being targeted by armed robbers in Burlington

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON September 19, 2011 Sunday afternoon a citizen observed two masked males walking towards the Medical Centre at 141 Plains Road carrying firearms. Before entering the clinic the males realized they had been spotted and fled on foot..

Less than an hour later police were dispatched to 185 Plains Rd E, the location of a Guardian Drug Store, where two masked men who entered the pharmacy and demanded cash and drugs from the employees. The males produced a firearm in the robbery.

Serious damage was done to the Plains Road pharmacy in October 2010.

This pharmacy is believed to be the same one damaged seriously by fire in October of 2010.

At the time Firefighters from the Waterdown Road station, who were on their way to check an unrelated alarm signal, discovered the blaze as they passed the Aldershot Guardian Pharmacy just after 1 a.m. in the morning. The crew attacked the fire and called in additional units.

Damage has been estimated at least $750,000 and the cause of the fire has not been determined. Investigators from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office has been called in. Pharmacy owner Lisa Vogt, who opened the business in June, says she plans to rebuild her “dream.”

Just under a year later two males rob the pharmacy and take an undisclosed quantity of money and prescription medication and then fled the pharmacy to a pickup truck parked outside. The vehicle left the area eastbound on Plains Rd. The pickup truck is described as green with a white cap, no make or model determined at this time.

The suspects were described as male white, 18-25yrs, 5′-10″ to 6′-0″ft, wearing dark hoodies and dark pants. One male was carrying a blue duffle bag; a dark pistol type handgun was seen by the pharmacy staff.

Earlier this month another pharmacy was robbed at gunpoint.

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Suspected of targeting seniors in Burlington. Call 911 if you see either of them

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON August 17^th, 2011 — Halton Regional Police Service detectives have identified suspect photos of the man and woman being sought in connection with a series of thefts from Halton seniors in early August.

The female suspect is described as Caucasian, in her mid 30s to 40s, slim build, between 5’7 and 5’8″ tall with long dark hair and a European accent. The male suspect is described as Caucasian, in his mid 30s to 40s, approximately 5’6 to 5’8″ tall with dark hair and a European accent.

Halton Regional Police Service detectives are urging seniors to be cautious if they are approached by a man and woman in their mid-30s to early 40s claiming to be lost and looking for the hospital.

The suspects are targeting elderly patrons of grocery and retail stores, and distracting their victims by asking them to point out directions on a map which they place over the victim’s wallet or purse, thereby giving the thieves an opportunity to steal the property unobserved.

The Halton Regional Police Service Regional Fraud Unit is continuing its investigation into this case and are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying these individuals. If you or an elderly relative has fallen prey to this scenario, or if you have any information related to the investigation please contact Detective Brad Murray at (905) 825-4747 Ext 8982 or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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Other picture(s) just released.

Thieves rob attendant during early morning gas station robbery.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON July 11, 2011 – The thieves are getting more brazen. At just after 4 am on Sunday, July 10^th two thieves robbed the gas attendant at the Esso station on Guelph Line at Derry Road.

An undisclosed amount of cash was taken and the attendant was unharmed.

The thieves left in a light blue open box pickup truck.

The attendant was confronted by two males brandishing metal bars and ordered to the floor while the suspects accessed and stole a quantity of money from the cash register.

The two male suspects in the robbery wore dark coloured clothing and masks. One is believed to be approximately 6’1″ tall and the other approximately 5’4″ tall.

Not that many light blue pick up trucks out there and they should have been captured on the video cameras – there were video cameras weren’t there?

Anyone having information that would assist in this investigation is encouraged to contact the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 Ext 2343 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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Easy pickings for the sneak thief crowd in Mountainside. Locals make it easy, leave car doors unlocked. Duh!

By Staff

BURLINGTONTON, ON June 30, 2011 – The Mountainside community in Burlington was hit with eight car entries. In each incident the vehicles were parked in residential driveways and had been left unlocked. Some of the stolen property included GPSs, sunglasses, cash and wallets. It is estimated $1000 in total property was stolen.

Leaving a car unlocked – even in what you believe to be a safe neighbourhood is really dumb. If the car is actually stolen – you’ve got some explaining to do to your insurance company.

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Cupid fails to shoot the arrow, thieves get away with cash and maybe some cupcakes.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON June 16, 2010 Halton Regional Police Service are investigating a break and enter to a local bakery in Burlington.

Sometime overnight on May 8^th, unknown suspect(s) pried open the rear door to gain entry into Cupid’s Gourmet Cupcakes located at 3450 Dundas St. Once inside, the suspect(s) removed an undisclosed amount of cash from the register.

The real question is – did they take any cup cakes?

And if you happen to see some people that you are suspicious of – with upset tummies – maybe?

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Vandals working the Spruce/Strathcona area. Keep the lights on and let the dog loose.

By Staff

BURLINGTON, ON May 12, 2011 – Halton Regional Police Service is investigating several incidents of vandalism in Burlington. Sometime overnight on May 6^th, five incidents of vandalism were committed in the area of Spruce Avenue and Strathcona Drive.

In each occurrence a sharp cutting object was used, to cut tree limbs, saw fence posts and puncture/slash car tires. These incidents are believed to be connected. Approximately $ 1000 in damage was caused.

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