 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. July 22, 2013. Halton Regional Police Criminal Investigation Bureau does not believed there was anything criminal in nature in the death of a male found in a creek near Earl Park and that there are no public safety concerns.
However, the police would like to hear from anyone with information related to this matter. Contact police at Halton Regional Police Service at 905-825-4747 Ext 2315. Detective Jared McLeod, 30 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau has control of the file.
The victim in this matter has been identified as a 33-year-old resident of Hamilton. The victim’s family has been identified and his identity will not be released.
The body was discovered Friday evening floating in the creek near Earl Park in the Francis Road area of Burlington.
There were no obvious signs of trauma to the body. The male has been transported to the Hamilton General Hospital where a forensic autopsy will be conducted. The investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of death.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. July 20, 2013. Friday evening before the worst of the storm hit the city police were notified of a body floating in the creek near Earl Park in the Francis Road area of Burlington.
Emergency Services responded to the area and the body of a male believed to be 20-30 years of age was recovered from the creek. The male had no vital signs and was declared deceased.
There were no obvious signs of trauma to the body. The male has been transported to the Hamilton General Hospital where a forensic autopsy will be conducted. The investigation is ongoing to determine the identity of the deceased and the cause of death.
Halton Police will issue an update when more details are known.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. July 17, 2013 It wasn’t quite what a Mississauga motorcycle driver expected Monday evening when he buzzed through a 60 mph zone and got clocked at 128 km/h.
At that speed the HRPS officer doing radar enforcement in the area of Walkers Line and New Street wasn’t able to catch the offender but was able to make further observations, including the motorcycle accelerating to a speed of 155 km/h as it travelled northbound on Walkers Line from New Street and out of the officer’s sight. This portion of roadway is a posted 50 km/h zone.
The officer methodically travelled up Walkers Line and near Harvester Road discovered the motorcycle and driver attempting to hide between two parked cars.
A 28-year-old Mississauga man faces several charges including: Racing, Speeding and Using Plates Not Authorized. He is to appear in Burlington Court on August 20, 2013.
A little patience and a slow steady search for the offender should keep him on public transit for a spell.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. July 15, 2013. Halton Regional Police, Burlington-3 District Strategic Support Team, arrested Christopher BAILEY- 23yrs of Burlington, after he sold cocaine to another male, Joshua CARD-23 yrs, also of Burlington.
That arrest led to police obtaining a search warrant that had police carrying out a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search at a residence on Pear Tree Lane in the City of Burlington.
Seized, as a result of the arrests and search warrant was;
• 112 grams of Cocaine (approx. ¼ pound)
• $480.00 in cash,
• a digital scale,
• packaging material,
• and a cellular phone.
How many customers will pop up on that cell phone? Might be some knocks on doors soon.
Christopher BAILEY was charged with Trafficking a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) and Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) and released on a Promise to Appear. Joshua CARD was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance (Cocaine) and was also released on a Promise to Appear.
Both are to appear in Milton Court in August 2013.
 By Staff.
BURLINGTON, ON. July 4, 2013. Shortly after 4:30 p.m., yesterday afternoon, an off-duty Halton officer was shopping in a grocery store in the area of Appleby Line and Upper Middle Road, Burlington, when he observed a man attempting to purchase pre-paid credit cards with what appeared to be a counterfeit credit card. After several attempts to complete the transaction, the man was unsuccessful and left the store.
The officer observed the man get into a waiting vehicle containing two other occupants and flee westbound on Upper Middle Road. The vehicle was stopped by responding officers in the area of William O’Connell Boulevard and a quantity of fraudulently obtained merchandise, counterfeit credit cards and associated documents were found within.
The three men face a multitude of charges including: Conspiracy to Commit Fraud, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Personation, Possession of Counterfeit Credit Card, Possession of Counterfeit Mark (two counts) and Fraud Under $5000 (two counts).
ACCUSED:
Azki MOHAMED (21 years) of Burlington
Nisanth VISITHTHIRAMOORTHY (20 years) of Toronto
Mithunan VAMATHEVAN (19 years) of Woodbridge
By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON. July 2, 2013. Somehow we missed one – there were xx people arrested and charged with various offenses last week and we reported on that occurrence but Shane Cooper got left out of that editorial roundup. We wouldn’t want Mr. Cooper to feel left out – so here is what they nailed him for:
Shane COOPER (41 years) of Carlisle.
Conspiracy to traffic (2 counts)
Trafficking (Cocaine)
Trafficking (Marihuana) 2 counts
Possession for the Purpose (Marihuana) 3 counts
Possession for the purpose (Cannabis resin) 2 counts
Possession of Cocaine
Possession of Oxycodone
Possession Hydromorphone
Produce a controlled substance.
The first part of that series of arrests is detailed in a previous report.
Police in the Region spend the bulk of their time on traffic offenses and drug raids which usually includes the Guns & Gangs Guys as well. The two seem to go together.
Elsewhere in the paper we pass along the view of our columnist Ray Rivers who thinks some drugs should be legalized.
 By Ray Rivers
BURLINGTON, ON. July 2, 2013 Canada was the first nation in the world to ban cannabis, back in 1923, driven to action by a transplanted Alberta magistrate, eugenicist and racist, pen-named ‘Janey Canuck’. A prolific Maclean’s Magazine columnist whose book, ‘The Black Candle’, warned about the dangers of “Chinese opium peddlers” and “Negro drug dealers;” she convinced legislators to adopt prohibition without a word of public debate.
So it was fitting that Maclean’s, in a recent issue on cannabis, reviewed the facts, acknowledged the error of its ways, and is now calling for legalization. The facts can be summarized as follows:
1. Safety. Well nothing is perfectly safe, but puffing ‘weed’ is safer than drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, or adding salt to your steak. It is not addictive, doesn’t ‘gateway’ to other drugs, and smoking doesn’t cause cancer – in fact, may protect against it.
2. Wasting resources. I thought this would appeal to fiscal conservatives, but alas! Enforcement is costly, so is imprisonment and so are the courts. People behind bars aren’t contributing to the economy, they are draining it.
3. Protecting Children. Despite prohibition, more Canadian children have tried ‘grass’ than anywhere else in the west, including decriminalized Spain.
4. Eroding societal values. If the law is an ass, people will ignore it and hate the cops. Legalization would kill black-markets and gangsters faster than a speeding bullet. And aren’t prisons just training academies for inmates wanting to become better criminals?
5. Provincial budgets. The LCBO gives1.2 billion dollars a year to the provincial government, in addition to the 13% HST and 10% licensing fee. Why wouldn’t we want to regulate the production and sales of recreational cannabis and use the revenues to pay for public services?
‘The Black Candle’ was wrong, but it is never too late to do the right thing. Back in the early 1970‘s The Royal Commission on the Non-Medical Use of Drugs (LeDain Report) called for de-criminalization of cannabis. In 2002 a Senate committee reported that “… drug legislation was largely based on a moral panic, racist sentiment…” and also called for legalization. Chretien and Martin started drifting towards de-criminalization but then Stephen Harper, another transplanted Albertan, like Ms. Canuck, came along to reverse progress. Drug enforcement is back big time. Today growing six hemp plants will get you an automatic 6 months in the big-house.
Richard Nixon’s war on drugs in the US was an absolute failure. Jails are half-filled with drug inmates, drug crime is at an all-time high and drug use in America has never been higher. In light of this, many states have taken action to start decriminalizing drugs. Washington and Colorado, are legalizing, developing infrastructure and rules for cultivation and marketing. The US feds, like their Canadian counter parts, have ultimate jurisdiction, but they’re not interfering. Is that because their last three presidents were self-proclaimed potheads?
Stephen Harper claims to never have smoked ‘pot’. So his head should be clear – right? Not at all. Last year, addressing the Summit of the Americas, he admitted “…that the current approach is not working. But it is not clear what we should do.” Still ignorance hasn’t deterred him from going back to what doesn’t work – aggressive criminalization.
Since the Conservatives came to power in 2006, drug-related arrests have mushroomed by 41% and over 400,000 people have been arrested. And, Harper can’t even articulate why. In a 2010 YouTube clip the PM miserably failed to make a single coherent point in defense of his neo-con drug policy – just ended up mumbling something about drug cartels.
Now, if Harper is concerned about drug cartels he needs to visit Mexico. That country used to have one of the toughest policies on drugs anywhere, which ultimately led to its deadly drug wars. The wars became so vicious that the Mexican government has now decriminalized small quantities of all major narcotics.
Of course, Mr. Harper should have gone to learn the Mexican experience before he saddled us with his ill-advised, retro drug laws. And why not take along his conservative ally, Rob Ford? Toronto’s controversial mayor might be interested to know that smoking crack-cocaine is now legal in Mexico.
 Ray Rivers writes weekly on both federal and provincial politics, applying his more than 25 years as a federal bureaucrat after which he decided to write and has become a political animator. Rivers was a candidate for provincial office in Burlington where he ran against Cam Jackson in 1995, the year Mike Harris and the Common Sense Revolution swept the province.
The views of the author are his alone
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. June 27, 2013 Halton Police have released a video image of a suspect involved in a Burlington break-in and are seeking the assistance of the public in identifying him.
On June 23, 2013 at 4:00 p.m., a man went to Burlington Tire and Auto – 4490 Harvester Road, knocked out a window in an overhead door and entered the business.
 Not quite sure what this break and enter was about – police report nothing was stolen. May be more to this than meets the eye. No property was stolen during the entry.
The man is described as: white, approx 6’0”, 240 lbs, short brown hair, clean-shaven, solid coloured shirt that may be red in colour, baggy brown shorts past his knees.
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. June 27, 2013 If the drug business is like any other business and reacts to the laws of supply and demand – things are going to be tight in the city for a period of time.
The Halton Regional Police Service Integrated Drug, Gun and Gang Unit wrapped up a five month investigation of drug trafficking in Burlington of Hamilton.
They called it Project Rounder, which was an in depth street level investigation of multiple persons involved in the trafficking of cocaine, marihuana and prescription medication in Burlington. The investigation led police to Hamilton when additional participants were identified.
Early morning raids were executed on this morning in both Burlington and Hamilton. Halton Police worked with Hamilton Police Drug Unit, Ontario Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit, Ontario Provincial Police Organized Crime Unit and the Durham Regional Police.
Police executed 13 search warrants and 12 involved persons were arrested, a total of 41charges were laid. Police seized pounds of marihuana, quantities of cocaine, hashish, psilocybin, oxycodone, five vehicle were seized (07 Volkswagon Jetta, 04 Ford F150, 97 Harley Davidson, 04 Dodge Ram, 2010 GMC pick up) and approximately $100,000 cash.
Charged are:
Elvis DOJCINOVIC (40 years) of Burlington.
Trafficking (Cocaine) 2 counts
Possession of marihuana
Eric LAW (42 years) of Burlington.
Trafficking (Cocaine) 2counts
Possession of Hydromorphone
Possession of Oxycodone
Michelle PELLERIN (31 years) of Burlington.
Possession for the purpose (Cocaine)
Robert SWALLOW (34 years) of Burlington.
Possession for the purpose (Marihuana)
Possession of cannabis resin
Possession of psilocybin
Robyn BARKHOUSE (45 years) of Burlington.
Conspiracy to traffick (Marihuana)
Trafficking (Cocaine)
Possession for the purpose (Cocaine)
Possession for the purpose (Anabolic steroids)
Possession of cannabis resin (2 counts)
Possession of marihuana (2counts)
Ken GARVIN (42 years) of Burlington.
Possession of marihuana
Production (marihuana)
Susan ESTEY (41 years) of Carlisle.
Possession for the purpose (Marihuana)
Possession for the purpose (Cannabis resin)
Possession of Cocaine
Possession of Oxycodone
Possession Hydromorphone
Produce a controlled substance
Sarann CHAN (23 years) of Hamilton.
Possession for the purpose (Marihuana)
Possession of property obtained by crime
The accused parties will appear in Milton Provincial Court Criminal Division June 26th, 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)
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. June 26, 2013. Shortly after midnight , last night, a group of friends were visiting the Burlington Pier when they started conversing with another group of males.
Without warning, the group of males grabbed one of the men and one of them struck him in the head with a bottle.
The group then ran off, pursued by one of the victim’s friends. Police were notified and located the accused near the intersection of Burlington Avenue and Lakeshore Road.
The accused was arrested and held for a bail hearing.
ACCUSED: Mohammed ISSE, 31 yrs, of Brampton
CHARGES: Assault Cause Bodily Harm and Assault with a Weapon
The victim, an 18-year-old Stoney Creek youth, was taken to Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital, treated for a head wound and released.
 The public has taken to the pier – trey love the place. Others that don’t have a lot of love in their hearts throw bottles at one another – let’s beef up the security. The pier has been open for less than two weeks – clearly it’s become the place to be for people from Stoney Creek. Is it a safe place to be? Of course it is – but some security presence wouldn’t hurt and video surveillance might be a good idea as well.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. June 23, 2013. A fire in a large residence on Lakeshore Road has resulted in a joint Halton Regional Police and the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal investigation.
Shortly after 10:30 p.m. on Friday June 21st, neighbours were alerted to smoke and fire coming from the house located at 2226 Lakeshore Road, close to the intersection at Stratheden. The Burlington Fire Department responded and the fire situation was soon upgraded to a four-alarm blaze. There were no occupants in the home at the time of the blaze and the owner was reported to be out-of-town.
The fire was suppressed by 11:30 p.m. Total damage is estimated to be in excess of $750,000. Due to suspicious observations made within the home, the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office was contacted and an OFM investigator was dispatched to the scene.
The OFM has made a preliminary finding that was relayed to Halton Regional Police. Due to that information, Arson Investigators from HRPS have initiated a criminal investigation into the cause.
Any witnesses to any suspicious activity at or near the location are asked to contact HRPS arson investigators at ext. 5142 or 5124.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON June 18, 2013. Two Hamilton men are facing a multitude of criminal charges following a spree of break-ins to rural residential homes.
Beginning May 29th, 2013 the Town of Milton and City of Burlington experienced a series of rural residential daytime home break-ins. Six homes from each municipality were entered and in each case no one was home at the time.
The suspects forced their way in and the contents of the residence were strewn about. A large quantity of jewelry and small electronics were stolen.
 Homes in setting like these – and empty during the day have been broken into by a pair of Hamilton based thieves. Police arrested two males recently. On June 3, 2013 police observed the suspects driving in a stolen car and were forced to enter into a short pursuit. The pursuit was immediately terminated when the driving actions of the suspects clearly posed a threat to public safety. The suspects eventually abandoned the motor vehicle near the intersection of Dundas Street and Walkers Line, Burlington.
Police recovered a large quantity of stolen property from six rural break and enters that occurred on that day from homes in Milton and Burlington.
With the assistance of Forensic Identification personnel and Hamilton Police Service, two suspects were identified and arrested by Hamilton police June 5th.
Both accused are now also before the courts in Halton on various charges.
ACCUSED:
Karl Michael BATTLE (28 yrs) of Hamilton
Robert Joseph LAROCQUE (43 yrs) of Hamilton
CHARGES:
Break and Enter (12 counts)
Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Flight from Police
Theft of Motor Vehicle
Possession of Stolen Property (three counts)
LAROCQUE faces three additional counts of Breach of a Probation Order.
By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. June 18, 2013 On Monday evening, shortly before 8:30 p.m. a male suspect got into an altercation with another male in downtown Burlington. A threat with a weapon was made before the suspect drove away.
Shortly thereafter, two police constables on routine patrol happened by chance to pull up behind the suspect. The suspect sped off and entered an intersection against a red light and began driving in a dangerous manner. The officers activated their emergency lights in an attempt to stop the suspect vehicle.
During a brief pursuit, the suspect drove directly at a patrol supervisor, who had to take evasive action to avoid a head-on collision.
At the intersection of Brant Street and Plains Road East the suspect entered the intersection against a red light and collided with two vehicles that had right of way. The suspect vehicle smashed into a light standard, causing significant damage. After the collisions, the suspect bailed from the car and fled on foot. He was apprehended seconds later by the original officers who chased him on foot. During the foot pursuit, one of the officers sustained a minor injury. He was treated and released from hospital.
A 23-year-old Burlington man driving the first vehicle that the suspect hit was not injured. A 48-year-old Burlington woman and her 11 yr old son, who were in the second car hit by the suspect, sustained minor injuries and were later treated and released from hospital.
The Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) was called to the scene and assisted in the investigation. The intersection was closed for five hours while the investigators measured the scene and collected evidence.
Several witnesses came forward and provided police with statements. Any additional witnesses are asked to call the CRU at ext. 5065.
Joshua FARRAY, age 22 yrs, of Burlington has been charged with:
Flight from Police,
Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle,
Fail to Remain, 3 counts of Breach Probation,
Drive While Suspended,
Use Plates not Authorized for Vehicle,
Use Validation not Furnished for Vehicle
Drive with No Insurance
FARRAY is being held in custody for a bail hearing scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Should have taken a bus.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. June 14, 2015 As a result of further investigation, Halton Regional Police homicide detectives have determined the murder of Parmanand (Barry) DEBIE was a deliberate, pre-planned act and have accordingly upgraded the charge against Calvin GREEN to first degree murder.
GREEN will attend a bail hearing this morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Milton Provincial Court.
A number of Gazette readers have commented and complained that the police are being unfair with the language they are using and that it is a court of law that makes the decision as to guilt.
The role of the police is to investigate and then lay what they feel are appropriate charges under the Criminal Code Act. A court of lay will then decide if the person is guilty or not guilty.
Those readers have a point.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. June 13, 2013. Earlier today homicide detectives arrested the individual responsible in the death of Parmanand (Barry) DEBIE.
Calvin Gordon GREEN, a 19-year-old Toronto resident was arrested in Burlington and is facing a charge of second degree murder.
GREEN is being held in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for Friday June 14, at 10:00 a.m. in Milton Provincial Court.
The investigation has determined that the victim knew the accused and died as a result of being stabbed.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. June 13, 2013. Homicide detectives have made an arrest in the death of Parmanand (Barry) DEBIE.
Details concerning the arrest and name of accused will be released shortly by way of media release.
No additional details are available for release at this time.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. June 7, 2013. On June 7, 2013 at 10:48 a.m., police were requested to attend a residence on Mountainside Drive after an individual had discovered their roommate unconscious.
Police arrived to find the man with no vital signs and he has since been pronounced deceased.
Members of the Homicide Unit have been called to the scene and are investigating the circumstances that led to the man’s death.
Homicide is a crime that is seldom committed in Burlington. The Det. Sargent who heads up homicide for the HRPS also heads up the fraud detail – that one keeps him busy.
Police are expected to issue a statement sometime later today.
Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to contact the Homicide Unit tip line at 905 825-4776 or Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-TIPS(8477).
 By Pepper Parr
BURLINGTON, ON June 6, 2013. The drug dealers are keeping the police busy enough. Earlier today members of the Three District Strategic Support Team concluded an investigation into alleged cocaine traffickers in Burlington.
Investigators conducted the investigation and as a result, the Team arrested two targeted persons. Both were found to be in possession of a quantity of marihuana and cocaine.
The investigation was concluded when the Strategic Support Team members executed a Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrant at a residence in Burlington.
As a result of the arrests and drug warrant, investigators seized the following items:
• 43 grams of cocaine
• 7.5 grams of marihuana
• Approximately $ 640.00 in Canadian currency
• Scales, Packaging materials and cellular phones
ACCUSED(s):
Lilit ISHAK (20 years old)
Matthew COOPER (20 years old)
Both from Burlington have been charged with;
Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking a Controlled Substance and Possession of a controlled substance
Dealing in drugs is a lucrative business – which helps to pay the lawyers you need. Gotta be a better way of making a living. But I guess as long as there are people who want to buy and use the stuff there are going to be people who will supply it.
 By Staff
BURLINGTON, ON. June 5, 2013. Halton Police have arrested a transient youth following the assault on a young girl on Sutton Drive near Dryden.
At just after 4:00 p.m. a 16-year-old girl was walking northbound on Sutton Drive near Dryden Avenue when a male approached, attempting to engage her in conversation. The girl did not stop and continued walking when she was suddenly pushed off the sidewalk by the male. The girl was uninjured, but an article of her clothing was ripped during the assault.
The girl went to a nearby friend’s house and immediately contacted police.
The incident generated a significant police response that resulted in the swift arrest of the male, in the area of Alexander’s Public School.
A 17-year-old youth has been charged with Assault and held for a bail hearing. His identity is protected under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Detectives are continuing their investigation into the incident and are seeking information from the community that would assist in that regard. Anyone who may have witnessed the assault 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. June 4, 2013. They are beginning to close in. The police recovered a vehicle they believe was used by a pair of bandits that broke into a number of homes in the north Burlington and parts of Milton.
The car was stolen – of course – this luckless pair would not have owned a car – that would require an honest source of income. The vehicle is a 2001 Buick Regal, silver in colour.
The Halton Regional Police are seeking the public’s assistance to catch these two.
 Lots of them around – but did you notice one like this in North Burlington, maybe at a gas station. Occupants wearing baseball caps looking a bit on the scruffy side. It is information like this that catches thieves. You may have seen them in the area, they are thought to have pulled in for gas or stopped at a convenience store in the south Milton area along the Derry Road corridor and in the north Burlington area along the Dundas Road corridor.
The description of the suspects is sketchy – you may be able to add to it.
Suspect #1:
Male / White, muscular build, Mid 20’s, jogging pants and muscle shirt, dark hair with a beard (Scruffy looking)
Suspect #2:
Male / White, muscular build, Mid 20’s, jogging pants and muscle shirt, blond hair.
Both suspects were believed to be wearing baseball hats and were between 5’9” and 6’2” in height.
The Halton Police would like to hear from any citizen who believes they may have seen the suspects or the suspect vehicle. Anyone with information concerning these incidents is asked to contact the One District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 x 2415, or the Three District Criminal Investigations Bureau at x 2315, Crime Stoppers at 1- 800-222-TIPS(8477), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.com or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637(crimes).
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