September 27, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. At approximately 10:10 pm Thursday, September 26th, 2013, Halton Regional Police received several calls of a man stumbling up Walkers Line in the area of Upper Middle Road.
 Found disoriented on Walkers Line close to Upper Middle Road Police and Halton paramedics responded and located a man who was extremely disoriented, had suffered an apparent head injury and was unable to identify himself to police. The man was taken to the Joseph Brant Hospital, where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition.
Investigators are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying this man. He is described as a white male, approximately 30-36 years of age, 6’7″ tall, with short brown hair and blue eyes. He had several days growth of facial hair and has no tattoos or surgical scars. He was wearing a black Nike shirt with long sleeves, blue jeans with a belt, black socks and no shoes.
Persons with information related to this man are asked to call the Halton Regional Police Service in Burlington at 905-825-4777, extension 2310 or call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
 September 25, 2013
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. It has come to this: we now have a Cyber Tip Awareness Day when we focus on the sexual exploitation that is perpetrated against our children when they use the internet.
 There is some help in understanding how the pedophiles lure your child. Cybertip.ca is Canada’s national tip line for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children. Since its inception in September 2002, it has responded to more than 94,000 child sexual exploitation reports. In Halton, ten such tips have been investigated since 2012.
Last year, on the 10th anniversary of Cybertip.ca, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection announced the inaugural Awareness Day to focus on this critical service for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children and for obtaining important educational material.
 What is sextexting and how do you prevent your children from getting involved? On September 26th police services hope to raise the awareness of the web site where people can report their concerns about a child being sexually exploited and encourage them to access ‘cybertip.ca’ for a new educational booklet entitled, ‘Parenting Tweens and Teens in a Digital World’.
The web site is worth a few minutes of your time.
The Halton Regional Police Service is a member of the Provincial Strategy to Protect Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation on the Internet.
 September 19, 2013
By staff
BURLINGTON, ON. Earlier this week a 13-year-old Burlington girl was walking home on Palmer Drive near Newlands Crescent when she sensed she was being followed.
While walking, she turned to see a man walking behind her and quickened her pace to create some distance.
A few moments later her wrist was grabbed and the man spun her around and touched her inappropriately. The girl fought off the man and ran home.
The victim did not report the matter to police until earlier today, September 19th.
The suspect is described as white, older than 20 years of age, wearing a baseball cap, light coloured t-shirt and jeans. The suspect may have had piercings in his mouth area, known as ‘snake bites’.
This is the second incident of public molestation of young girls in the city in less than a week.
Police offer the following prevention tips when walking:
Walk with a purpose
Be alert and attentive of your surroundings at all times
Avoid unlit streets and shortcuts through parks and/or vacant lots
If you suspect you are being followed, cross the street, scream if necessary
IF YOU FEAR FOR YOUR SAFETY, CALL 9-1-1
Call the police as soon as you can to report the incident; they can move very quickly and be in a neighbourhood in minutes.
 September 16, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. Halton’s Chief of police must have shaken his head several times this morning when he signed off on the report that stated there were more than 1900 charges laid during Project Safe Start, the police initiative to make streets close to Regional schools safe.
Police laid over 1900 charges including:
Speeding 1152
Seatbelts 142
Stop Signs 158
Other 456 (including at least 28 Distracted Driving charges)
 Signs are pretty clear. Police still nabbed 1152 speeders during an All Hands on Deck which has the Chief of Police out writing up tickets. The two officers shown here were kept busy. While the project has come to an end the need to be vigilant when driving near schools is always necessary. Take extra care in and around School Zones and Community Safety Zones.
 Halton Regional Police Chief Stephen Tanner talks with Sgt Davies, the man who heads up the accident reconstruction unit. The two of them would really like to see fewer accidents. During the enforcement phase, several suspended drivers were taken off the road, two commercial vehicles taken out of service for severe mechanical defects and at least one person was charged with Stunt Driving. Keep in mind that all of these charges occurred within School Zones and Community Safety Zones!
Vigilance and due care and attention should always be paramount when driving; not just when police hold special campaigns such as Project Safe Start. Enforcement officers will still be out 24/7 keeping an eye on our roads to ensure safe travel for all.
 September 14, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. Three white males are being sought by police for an assault that took place on Upper Middle Road and Walkers Line at approximately 11:00 pm on Friday
 Plaza on the south side of Upper Middle Road near Walkers Line where an assault is believed to have taken place Friday night. A male and female pedestrian were near the plaza at 4021 Upper Middle Road when the occupants of a passing motor vehicle began a verbal altercation. After a brief exchange, the suspects exited the vehicle and assaulted the 26-year-old male victim. In addition, the suspects damaged the motor vehicle of a passerby who attempted to intervene. The victim was treated in hospital for minor injuries. The suspects fled in their vehicle and were observed in the area driving in a dangerous manner.
The Halton Regional Police are looking for any help they can get identifying three people responsible for the assault.
All three suspects are Caucasian males between the ages of 18-20 years. One suspect is bald/shaved head while another has short, spiked dark hair. No further descriptors available at this time.
The involved suspect vehicle is a black SUV, possibly a Toyota Highlander, with tinted windows and a tan leather interior.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Three District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext 2315, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), www.haltoncrimestoppers.com, or text “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
 September 13, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. Wednesday, shortly after 5:00 p.m., two young girls were shopping at the Burlington Mall when they were inappropriately touched by the same man.
 The girls, aged 8 and 10, were at the Dollarama store when they were approached by a man who engaged them in conversation about toys.
The girls moved to another aisle, followed by the man, and while looking at hair products both girls were inappropriately touched by the man.
The girls moved further down the aisle and were again touched by the man who had followed.
Neither girl realized the other had been touched until they were proceeding to the register and had a discussion.
The man is described as: white, early 30’s, 5’7″, reddish-brown short hair with a goatee. He wore knee-length shorts, a light coloured t-shirt and a backpack.
Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Unit are continuing their investigation into this incident and are asking anyone with information to contact them at 905 465-8970, 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).
 September 12, 2013
By Milla Pickfield
BURLINGTON, ON. Bad driving… We all hate it, and yet it is still a problem. Last Tuesday Halton Regional Police Service Chief Stephen Tanner and other Senior Command Officers were outside the Hayden High School to enforce safe driving in the school zone.
 Gazette reporter interview Halton Regional Police Services Chief Stephen Tanner, while police officer in the background hands out a speeding ticket. Their being there was part of the “All Hands on Deck” program; officers were actively handing out tickets to anyone driving recklessly. The real question is why do we drive recklessly?
We did not learn these habits in driver’s school yet drivers still speed, text, refuse to wear seat belts, ignore school bus signs and crossing guards, and drive in an aggressive manner. So why do we do all of the above? We get annoyed when others perform those tasks and turn around and do them ourselves.
 Chief aims his radar gun – didn`t get a speeder this time. Many of us, at the age of sixteen, were ecstatic to get our G1 driver’s license. We welcomed the freedom that came along with the ability to drive. A year later we finally got the G2 license allowing us to drive without an adult present in the car. Finally, after what felt like forever, we achieve our G license. But what we may forget is that a license is a privilege. In an interview Chief Tanner told me: “A driver’s license can be taken away.”
After all that hard work and tests to finally get our driver’s license why do we forget to be cautious? I mean on one hand YES! We’re done but on the other, we now don’t have anyone telling us not to cut in front of that other driver or stick up one of our fingers because we are frustrated. “I think it’s because we think of our car as our own personal space and we can do whatever we want in it”, suggested one Burlington citizen I talked with. It is true. We feel infinite and almost untouchable until we get a speeding ticket. Then we’re just annoyed.
It is rushing to get somewhere that results in what the police call reckless driving. People don’t want to be late and start to panic while driving, and we all know we wouldn’t be so panicked if we left five minutes earlier. The more panicked and impatient we are the more reckless our driving becomes. So why not just leave earlier? Is it because we want to spend as much time at home with our devices?
Our devices… What would we do without them? I know one thing we would do without them, be better drivers! I’ve sat in the backseat of my car and watched my parents’ text, email, or call while driving and let me tell you it does not help their driving at all! They don’t see the light when it turns green; they don’t pay attention to the other drivers on the road; and they do this weird head thing where they look down at their phone and then quickly back up to the road, they look about as panicked as I feel just watching them. I mean the fact that they look at their phone longer than the road does not reassure me at ALL!
“Texting has become such a cultural thing that you don’t think about it.” Chief Tanner said. He’s right, I know when I hear that buzz from my phone, I drop everything and check the message. I suppose it’s because we think that the message that just came in could potentially save the world and hold all the answers to life itself… but it really doesn’t and is it worth putting yourself in danger?
Chief Tanner explained to me that texting when you drive “ you put others and yourself at risk”
That also raises a good argument that we’ve all heard a thousand times. How many times have you heard someone say; “Don’t text and drive! You put yourself at risk as well as others.” I’ve heard it close to a thousand. It’s almost as common now as; “Don’t drink and drive.” The funny thing is that we don’t think about the consequences until we are facing them.
 Speed limit sign is clear – so are those radar guns in the hands of two police officers waiting for someone to break that speed limit. It was an All Hands on Deck day in Burlington earlier this week as police were out in force making the point that driving carelessly in school zones was not going to be tolerated. “Often people feel invincible and they think they aren’t going to get caught.” Chief Tanner explained. I know that’s how I feel when I do something I’m not supposed to. For example passing notes, or as teenagers refer to it, texting in class. When we do get caught it comes as a shock because we have done it so many times before that we think it is acceptable and we can get away with it. But we can’t because eventually we do get caught.
That is the most prominent point of the police task. While I was interviewing the chief, other police officers were writing up tickets for people they had pulled over for driving 50 to 60 kmh in a 40 kmh zone.
The police are out there trying to make the roads safer by trying to get us out of old habits that have become instincts.
 September 2, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. A Halton Regional Police Service officer has been charged with assault while on duty.
The incident took place in Milton on Monday August 26 2013 at approximately 1:00 am when Constable Dwain Newham, on duty in the Town of Milton, is said to have assaulted a male victim that had been taken into custody by police.
Cst. Newham, during the course of his duties had responded to a disturbance call in the area of Main Street in Milton. While investigating the original call it is alleged that the Officer assaulted a male victim that had been taken into custody by police. The victim did not suffer significant injuries and did not require medical attention.
Cst. Newham will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Milton on September 25 2013.
 August 28, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON Halton Police are searching for a man reportedly seen masturbating in a complex on Maple Crossing Blvd in Burlington. On August 28, 2013 at about 3:15 am, police received a report of a man who entered a backyard and peered through the window of a residence in the complex. It appeared the male was masturbating before he was seen leaving the yard on foot. He is described as male white, early 30’s, 5’6, 180 lbs, short brown hair wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans.
That this wasn’t captured on a cell phone camera is a missed YouTube moment.
Police would like to take this opportunity to remind residents to not only secure their homes but also to lock yard gates and report suspicious people in their neighbourhood to police.
Any person with information related to this investigation are encouraged to contact the Three District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext 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).
 August 24, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. While the association of police chiefs ratified a resolution that would expand enforcement options for illicit possession of cannabis, giving officers the ability to issue tickets similar to those for driving infractions or jaywalking, it wasn’t jaywalking police regional police were doing on Donegal Drive yesterday.
 A police photo-op – the politicians want their pictures taken and take advantage of every opportunity to get in front of a camera. The police do much the same thing – every opportunity to show the public what they’ve been doing for them is used. This week they scooped up all these drugs and cash. In August 2013, the Halton Regional Police Service commenced an investigation into a marihuana trafficker from the City of Burlington and yesterday members of the 3 District Burlington Strategic Support Team executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a residence on Donegal Drive and seized approximately 460 grams of marihuana (over 1 Pound), 31 grams of Hashish (over an ounce), a quantity of cocaine, $3,165 CDN funds, packaging material and digital scales.
Police have arrested and charged the following persons:
Justin LIDKA (24 yrs) of Burlington charged with possession of a controlled substance (marihuana).
Michael CRAMPTON (21 yrs) of Burlington charged with:
Trafficking a controlled substance (marijuana)
Possession for the purpose of trafficking (marijuana)
Possession for the purpose of trafficking (hashish)
Possession of cocaine
 Police look for patterns in criminal activity. Is there a pattern here? A drug raid took place earlier in the month on Lakeshore Road then another drug raid on Donegal Drive yesterday; are there links between the two? Both parties were released on a Promise to Appear in Milton Court on October 8th and 15th, 2013.
Investigators remind the public to utilize Crime Stoppers to report any illegal drug, gang or gun activity at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes).
 August 22, 2013
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. Retail store robberies usually take place at night when it is dark but a lone male suspect entered the Macy Mart variety store located at 437 Brock Avenue in the City of Burlington indicated he had a weapon and demanded cash.
No weapon was seen and after being given a quantity of cash the suspect fled the store and was last seen running out of the variety store on foot. No weapon was seen. The store employee was unharmed during the robbery. The time was approximately 4:50 p.m.
The suspect is described as follows:
Male, white, 5’6″ – 5’10’, thin/skinny build, 16-19 years old, dark hair with a red bandana covering his face, large dark sunglasses, baseball hat, wearing a light-colored “hoodie” with white drawstrings, white t-shirt, dark sneakers and black pants.
The male is presumed to be armed and members of the public should not approach this individual. Immediately call the Police and report his location.
Any person with information related to this investigation, the identity of the suspect are encouraged to contact the Three District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext 2316, 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.
August 17, 2013
BURLINGTON, ON. It was a knock on the door that wasn’t welcomed but for police in the Integrated Drug, Gun and Gang Unit the raid at a house at 4319 Lakeshore Road, Burlington was well worth the effort.
 Police evidence taken from a LAkeshore home is set out for display. This wasn’t a small street level dealer. Police have moved up the food chain on this one. Found in the house, which was entered under the authority of a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant:
Approximately seven pounds of cannabis marihuana,
three ounces of cocaine,
110 grams of cannabis resin,
$4000 CDN funds,
Carl COLLETT (47 years of age) has been charged with the following offences;
Possession for the purpose of trafficking to wit: cocaine, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession for the purpose of trafficking to wit: cannabis marihuana (exceeding three kilograms), contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Possession for the purpose of trafficking to wit: cannabis resin (not exceeding three kilograms), contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Production of a controlled substance to wit; cannabis resin, contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Collett has been held for a bail hearing and will appear in court on August 17th 2013 in the City of Hamilton.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. August 10, 2013. There was an accident at the intersection of Plains Road and Hillsdale Avenue in Burlington early in August between a car and a motorcycle. The driver of the car fled the scene. The motorcyclist, a Dundas resident, was seriously injured and taken to an “area hospital.”
Just another hit and run accident? Apparently not. The car that struck the motorcyclist was being followed by the OPP.
The car was located in the City of Hamilton. It was unoccupied when found and police have “strongly urged” the driver of the car “to seek legal counsel and arrange to turn themselves in.” The police used the word “themselves” suggesting that there was more than one person in the car when it struck the motorcyclist.
The discovery of the vehicle in Hamilton was the result of a keen-eyed area resident, police reported.
The Halton Regional Police have said “There will be no further comment from the Halton Regional Police Service pending the conclusion of the SIU investigation.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. August 8, 2013. A lone male suspect entered the FreshCo grocery store on Upper Middle Road in the early afternoon where he demanded money from the cashier.
 Reasonable quality video will make it easier to catch this person, believed to have held up the FreshCo on Upper Middle Road. He was given a quantity of cash and then fled the store. Staff followed the male into the parking lot where he produced a knife, warned them and then made good his escape.
The suspect was last seen getting into grey 4 door motor vehicle being driven by a female and driving southbound on Walkers Line towards the QEW.
The male is described as follows:
Male, white, 5’10” – 6′ tall, medium build, 25-30 years old, several days facial hair growth, wearing a white “hoodie” with stripes, white shoes and blue jeans. Police were able to recover a reasonable quality image of the male fleeing the store.
 Is this anyone you recognize? The male is presumed to be armed and members of the public should not approach this individual. Immediately call the Police and report his location.
Any person with information related to this investigation, the identity of the suspect, the female driving the vehicle or the suspect vehicle is encouraged to contact the Three District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext 2316, 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. August 8, 2013. Halton’s police service are investigating a hit and run collision that left a motorcyclist seriously injured by a vehicle that fled the scene. This vehicle was being followed by the Ontario Provincial Police prior to the collision.
The incident occurred on Thursday, August 1, 2013 at approximately 10:30 p.m. at the intersection of Plains Road and Hillsdale Avenue in Burlington. After the driver of the suspect vehicle struck the motorcyclist, he fled the scene; last seen driving east on Plains Road.
A 56-year-old Dundas, Ont. man was seriously injured in this collision and is still in an undisclosed area hospital.
Vehicle Information: A vehicle of interest has been identified as a 2001-2003 Nissan Sentra, grey in colour. The suspect vehicle will be missing the rear bumper and will have damage to the driver’s side tail light assembly.
Suspect Information: The driver is described as male, white, believed to be in his 30s – 40s with shoulder-length brown hair.
The Special Investigations Unit has been brought in because the OPP were following the suspect, and someone sustained an injury.
The interesting note here is the mention of the driver of the motorcycle being at an “undisclosed area hospital” – why not say where the victim is? More to this story than meets the eye.
Anyone with information pertaining to this collision or the vehicle of interest is asked to contact the Halton Regional Police Service Collision Reconstruction Unit at 905-825-4747 ext. 5065.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or by texting ‘Tip201’ with a message to 274637 (CRIMES).
 By Pepper Parr.
BURLINGTON, ON. August 9, 2013. The first time you read the email you wonder – what is this? How did they get my name and – this isn’t real is it?
A lot of people take a second look and click on a link or respond to a message. When they do that they have begun to engage the person who sent the email. The people who send this stuff are patient; they have nothing else to do but build confidence with you, make you believe that they are for real.
Dear Sir/Madam
I am sorry to bug your privacy. My name is Siti Rohani Salleh, I am the wife to late Abu Talib Yadin who happens to be a government contractor, trader and a politician. My husband was divisional treasurer of trade and contractors of the Malaysian Indian Congress in Perak state. He was brutally murdered by opposing members of his party for his straightforwardness and accountability though the government claimed that it was a robbery attack but everybody know it was assassination by some people in government. I was lucky to stand this gruesome murder on the night of Saturday, 15th September 2012 but they still stabbed me on my abdomen but I was lucky to escape. I was rush to the hospital by some neighbors and eventually the same assassin still came to the hospital in Malaysia just to take my life but eventually they miss their access to my ward.
So I had to instruct our account manager to transfer our money to South Africa where I had to run and seek asylum/refugee. Presently I am in the government hospital.
Please copy link below and read more about the incident where my husband was murdered on 12th September 2012.
https://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?sec=nation&file=/2012/9/15/nation/12034249
I write you to seek your assistance in the security of US$5.5million Deposited by me with a SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK before I seek refugee/asylum here. The South African reserve bank will allow you go on their online banking to transfer the funds. I am the only one with direct access and information of this deposit.
I decided to seek help knowing that My days are numbered having received a call from the Reserve bank that they will turn the deposit to its government treasury if I fail to present a representative for the claim. I seek your assistance to be made the Administrator to this inheritance since I have no relative or children. I intend to introduce you to the director of the bank whom I deem very competent to guide you through this claim process. Please get back to me for more information on this inheritance.
I was lead (note the spelling error) by the Almighty to send this mail to you after serious thought of all emails I saw on the internet. Please treat this seriously. I have all documents of deposit of this fund to proove I hope to hear from you soonest before I go.
Thank you. send your reply to me so that we can finalize this transfer within 3 days, I have all documentation to back up this claim, this is my email address: mrsitis@aol.com Mrs.Siti Rohani Salleh. Reply me to: mrsitis@aol.com
The people who sent you this are hoping you will be enticed to click on the email and if you do that – you have taken the first step to someone beginning the process of stealing more of your identity and as much of your money as they can.
The stealing of your identity will have already begun if you get an email like the one below. They have your email address – what else do they have?
There are people who earn their living this way – they look for naive people, gullible people, curious people or greedy people and they work their scam.
 Spend $10 on a good read and the best introduction you will ever get to how identities are stolen and why you get some of the email that appears in your inbox. Just how this is done was explained all too well in a book written by Will Ferguson “419”, a title that became a best seller and won the Scotiabank Giller prize in 2012, is the story about a man who got pulled into one of these scams and chose to end his life.
The book is a great read – and an interesting look at what the police in this country can and can’t do about identity theft.
We quote from the book, which is fiction, and very well researched. Detectives from the Economic Crime Unit of a police service are explaining to a woman whose father got taken that “The only defence we have with these types of fraud is education”.
In the novel the police show the woman some of the documents they have collected. “One is both very specific and oddly vague: A Fund Management Agreement issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria; an International Remittance voucher; a Certificate of Registration; Letters of Intent, affidavits, court orders, banking forms, all duly signed and duly sealed.”
And all phony, all created to fool people into parting with their money.
The people who do this type of thing are pretty good at it – but they succeed only because they gain your confidence.
In Will Ferguson’s “419” he takes you through just how the thieves, all from Nigeria in this book, work to gain a person’s confidence.
“These are some of the actual documents your father received; our tech unit recovered them from the cached files on his hard drive. You father had tried to delete them in the days before his accident. He thought he had cleared the memory – here – your father would have scanned and signed these forms and then emailed them back to Nigeria as attachments.”
When you get emails like this – scroll through it – some of the claims these people make are amazing – just don’t click on any of the links – you don’t really know where they are going to take you.
This is one of an ongoing series the Gazette will be doing on Identity Theft as part of an effort to make our readers more aware of what might show up in your email inbox one day.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. August 5, 2013. Halton Regional Police are investigating a series of night time residential break and enters that have occurred in the Brant Street and Upper Middle Road area of Burlington over the past two weeks.
In these instances, a door or window has been left open or unlocked allowing thieves to enter the residences or garages. Investigators believe that the suspects are targeting small electronics and in none of the instances have any home owners been confronted by the intruders.
Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and keep doors and windows locked when away from home or asleep as a screened door or window can easily be cut or removed by thieves.
Police offer the following tips to homeowners as a means of reducing the risk of their homes to being broken into:
• Securely lock all windows/doors to home
• Have an alarm/video surveillance system installed
• Utilize exterior lighting
• Use locks on gates to backyard
• If you suspect your home has been entered and/or an intruder is still present within or nearby, contact 9-1-1 immediately for police assistance.
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. August 4, 2013. One of the biggest problems we face as a society is the theft that takes place of money that is not in our wallets or purses. Some call it identity theft; others call them scams – the result is usually the same – someone we don’t know, will never see, manages to convince us to give them information that allows them to take money out of our bank or from our credit cards.
They often get our money because we are greedy and think that there really is something for nothing waiting for us out there. Do we really believe someone in Nigeria has millions of dollars they want to get out of that country and that they will give us a large portion of that money if we help them? Some people do.
Does anyone not know someone who got sucked in by one of these schemes? The thieves play upon our greed or our naivety to get us to part with information they need to get our money.
The Gazette is doing an ongoing series of articles on identity theft and how these thieves work to take advantage of us.
 Read the notice I got carefully – what tells you this is a phony message designed to get me to give the sender information that would allow them to take money from my bank account. I happen to bank with the Bank of Montreal. Earlier today I got an email, sent to an address I seldom use. It was an email from my bank – well let the following tell the story.
Why is my bank telling me about a payment? And just what is a “pending status”. It sounds kind of official.
The email tells me that I am required to verify something – online. They use the words “secure verification link” but that’s just to make you feel confident.
There isn’t a bank in this country that is ever going to send you an email like this.
A bigger reason to be suspicious is in the Subject line. “Receive your payment now”; that’s the kind of language advertisers use.
The people who send emails like this buy lists of names from other thieves online and then they send out tens of thousands of emails. It doesn’t cost them a dime to send the email.
If one ploy doesn’t work – they will try another.
 This was a really direct attempt to get information. Banks do customer satisfaction surveys but they don’t use email and they don’t offer money if you do the survey. $378. is far more than any survey company will ever pay for participating. The best you’re going to get is a gift card for maybe $20. This one was pretty blunt and played on that little bit of greed we all have in us. I didn’t download this one – it would have taken me to a web site that could do very serious damage to the information on my computer.
It would have given them access to all my contacts and might have permitted the sender to install software on my computer that could capture every keystroke I entered.
This type of data theft is particularly vicious – but that $368 looks tempting to some people.
What can you do to protect yourself? Common sense and remember – if it looks to good to be true – that’s because it isn’t true.
This is one of an ongoing series the Gazette will be doing on Identity Theft as part of an effort to make our readers more aware of what might show up in your email inbox one day.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. July 26, 2013 Very early in July, the St. Raphaels Church located on New Street was vandalized by two suspects. Damage to the church included anti-religion and profane writings on both the doors and windows.
On Thursday, Halton Regional Police Service, 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau arrested Patrick GRAY, a 21-year-old male from Burlington for one count of mischief under $5000. GRAY was released on a Promise to Appear and Undertaking with Conditions and is scheduled to appear in Milton court in August 2013.
 Use of Social Media helped police find and arrest a vandal. The wider community was able to assist the police using social media and Twitter accounts to help the police make their arrest. Graffiti is a community issue and it is partnership between the Police and the community that will help us address this issue.
Anyone with information related to this investigation or other acts of vandalism is encouraged to contact the Three District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext 2316, 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. – July 25, 2013. The Halton Regional Police would like to caution the public that scammers are using the names of the RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) in a computer scam.
Individuals report a frozen computer, or they have been locked-out of their computers, after receiving pop-up messages warning that the computer has been associated with pornography.
These warning messages claim to be from one of these agencies, and tell the recipient to pay a “fine” so the computer can be “unlocked.” The message also claims that if the “fine” is not paid within 72 hours, criminal proceedings will commence against the user.
“These types of messages, commonly known as “scareware”, are designed to create such shock and anxiety that victims respond by sending money quickly,” states the RCMP in a news release.
The public is advised that if you receive one of these messages please be aware that it is a scam and has not been issued by the CACP, CSIS or the RCMP.
Do not pay the $100.00 “fine”. Being “locked out” of your computer is an indication that your system may have been infected with malware and you will need to take steps to address that problem.
The police pass along some tips to help keep your computer protected:
• Never click on a pop-up that claims your computer has a virus;
• Update your anti-virus software often and scan your computer for viruses regularly;
• Do not click on links or attachments in e-mails sent to you by someone you don’t know;
• Turn on your browser’s pop-up blocking feature;
• Never download anti-virus software from a pop-up link sent to you in an e-mail.
If you have received a “scareware” message please report it to your local police office and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (1-888-495-8501).
One might ask why someone would be worried about being told there was pornography on their computer if they never visited one of those websites. Of course, if a person has visited such a site – perhaps there is reason to be afraid.
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