We last reported at the end of August and LOTS has been happening since then.

Buying or selling online? The Buy & Sell Exchange Zone provides added peace of mind to those buying, selling or trading property online. If you are meeting new people while finalizing online transactions, the Halton Region Police Service (HRPS) encourages you to use their clearly-signed Exchange Zone in the visitor parking lot of the HRPS 20 Division facility at 95 Oak Walk Drive, Oakville. If that location doesn’t work for you, try to complete your transactions in well-lit, public, and popular locations to avoid being a victim of crime.

Complete your transaction during daytime hours and use the buddy system when possible. Bring a family member or friend with you or let someone know who you will be meeting, the time, and the location of the exchange. Never complete a buy and sell transaction by mail. Limit the amount of personal information you provide.

Stop. Pause. Think. If something seems too good to be true, it likely is.

From September to November, the R.I.D.E. program resulted in charges for two Burlington residents. There were 15 traffic stops, six of which resulted in Burlington residents receiving charges for impaired driving or other similar charges; the other charges went to non-Burlington residents. There were 16 citizen-initiated complaints, which resulted in 10 Burlington residents being charged with impaired driving or other related charges; again, the other individuals charged were not Burlington residents.

In that same time frame, five collisions occurred in Burlington; three of these collisions resulted in charges for Burlington residents.

Here are some signs of an impaired driver:

  • Driving unreasonably fast, slow or at an inconsistent speed
  • Drifting in and out of lanes
  • Tailgating and changing lanes frequently
  • Making exceptionally wide turns
  • Changing lanes or passing without sufficient clearance
  • Overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights
  • Disregarding signals and lights
  • Approaching signals or leaving intersections too quickly or slowly
  • Driving without headlights, failing to lower high beams or leaving turn signals on

Other HRPS activity in fall 2021

On Sept. 9, 2021, HRPS responded to reports of a shooting in the Maple Crossing Blvd. area of Burlington. The victim of the apparent gunshot wounds was taken to hospital. The suspect, David Lavoie, 37 years old, of Hamilton, was found dead on Sept. 20, 2021.

The victim of the shooting survived.

On October 13, 2021, investigators from the HRPS Street Crime Unit in Burlington executed a search warrant at a residence near downtown Burlington. As a result of this search, the following items have been seized: one 12-gauge shotgun; 24 shotgun shells and one small calibre pistol round; a machete; a hatchet; a flick knife; 5 g of methamphetamine; drug trafficking paraphernalia (scales, phones, packaging); $890.00 in cash; one stolen licence plate; and one motorcycle 

Police have also made three arrests in connection with this drug investigation.

A 40-year-old male, a 33-year-old male and a 38-year-old female from Burlington have been arrested and charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm; tampering with a serial number of a firearm; knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm; careless use/storage of a firearm; careless use/storage of ammunition; possession of property obtained by crime (two counts for the 40-year-old male, one each for the other two suspects); possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose (four counts each for the female and 40-year-old male, two counts for the 33-year-old male). The 40-year-old male and the female have also been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine; two counts for the male, one count for the female). The 40-year-old male was also charged with two counts of breach of firearm prohibition order, and the 33-year-old male was charged with failure to comply — being on an undertaking form.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Scott Heyerman of the 3 District Street Crime Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 2342.

On Monday October 25, 2021, Frank Yeboah (25 years old) of Burlington was arrested and charged with trafficking in persons; adult procuring; two counts of sexual assault; and extortion.

It is believed that there may be additional victims. If you have any information, contact the Human Trafficking Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 5331.

On October 26, 2021, former elementary school teacher Michael O’Grady (72 years old) of Burlington was arrested and charged with a historical sexual assault. A September media release resulted in an additional victim reporting an assault by O’Grady to the police. This victim was a female student of John T. Tuck Public School in Burlington at the time of the offence in 1987.

O’Grady taught at various schools within the Halton District School Board and police believe there may be additional victims. Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Constable Carly Irwin of the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit, at 905-825-4747, ext. 8976, or by email at carly.irwin@haltonpolice.ca.

Everyone has the right to feel safe in our community.

Victims of sexual assault and witnesses are encouraged to contact the Halton Regional Police Service. The following is a list of valuable support services and resources in Halton Region for victims of sexual violence:

  • Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010 (confidential, 24/7, multi-lingual service)
  • Halton Children’s Aid Society: 905-333-4441 or 1-866-607-5437
  • Halton Regional Police Service Victim Services Unit 905-825-4777 ext. 5239 or by email at VictimServices@haltonpolice.ca
  • Halton Women’s Place: 905-878-8555 (north) or 905-332-7892 (24-hour crisis line)
  • Kid’s Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 (24-hour crisis line)
  • Nina’s Place Sexual Assault and Domestic Assault Care Centre 905-336-4116 or 905-681-4880
  • Radius Child & Youth Services 905-825-3242 (Oakville) or 1-855-744-9001
  • Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services (SAVIS) 905-875-1555 (24-hour crisis line)
  • Thrive Counselling 905-845-3811 or 905-637-5256

If there is immediate danger or if you suspect someone is being trafficked, call 911.

On November 4, 2021, officers executed a pair of search warrants (one at a residence in Hamilton and the second at a residence in Burlington). As a result of these warrants, the following items were seized: 28 g of fentanyl; $12,400 in counterfeit cash; stolen identification; stolen licence plate; stolen cheque book; a replica revolver; a stolen Ford Explorer; a Chevrolet Blazer.

Investigators also arrested four people as a result of this investigation.

A 39-year-old male and a 28-year-old female of Hamilton have been charged with breach of probation and breach of a release order, respectively. Both have also been charged with possession of property obtained by crime; possession of counterfeit currency; and possession of a controlled substance.

A 30-year-old male and a 29-year-old female of Burlington have been charged with possession (of fentanyl) for the purpose of trafficking; (possession of) weapons dangerous; 3 counts each of possession of property obtained by crime; and possession of counterfeit currency. The male was also charged with four counts of breaching probation, theft of a motor vehicle and driving (while) disqualified. The female was also charged with breach of a release order.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 3 District Street Crime Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 2342.

On November 17, 2021, members of the HRPS’ Tactical Rescue Unit responded to reports of a person in crisis at a Burlington residence. A male was barricaded inside a residence; after officers entered the residence, they found the male holding an edged weapon. Following an interaction between officers and the male, an officer discharged an ARWEN (Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield); the male was apprehended and taken to hospital with a serious injury. HRPS will release no further details, as the Special Investigations Unit has invoked their mandate with regard to this incident.

If you have information for any of these crimes, it can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers,” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

This article is provided with information provided by the HRPS. The occurrences were described in e-updates that include Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton, and Oakville. If you would like regular updates, subscribe to Community Notifications at https://www.haltonpolice.ca/en/news-and-updates/community-notifications.aspx. Remember that all persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.