An unnamed 27-year-old man is facing a slew of charges after allegedly unleashing a “chaotic and dangerous series of events” in downtown Hamilton.
Hamilton Police said they first responded to a fire Sunday at about 4:15 p.m. at the Salvation Army on York Blvd., where a man was seen loitering in the lobby before igniting a fire that caused about $150,000 worth of damage.
The suspect fled on foot and a “short time later” entered nearby Jackson Square before being confronted by security guards over a trespass order. The suspect refused to comply, armed himself with “multiple large knives” and then produced an imitation firearm, which he threatened to shoot at people nearby.
Police said he was “quickly and safely captured” and no injuries had been reported as of Monday.
The accused is charged with arson and multiple counts of assault with a weapon, uttering death threats and failure to comply with probation, among other offences.
Anyone with information can contact police at 905-546-4725 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or crimestoppershamilton.com.
ALLEGED DRUG TRAFFICKERS BLITZED AT SUPER BOWL RIDE STOP
Two men accused of trafficking methamphetamine were sacked by cops at a RIDE checkpoint on Super Bowl Sunday.
Durham Regional Police said they caught the accused culprits offside in the Consumers Dr.-Garden St. area of Whitby after allegedly detecting the odour of cannabis in a black Volkswagen SUV that was being screened at the checkpoint.
Police said they then searched the vehicle and found nearly 5 kg of crystal meth.
Darren Simpson, 31, of Whitby, is charged with two counts of possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine and crystal meth.)
Adam Persaud, 34, of Oshawa, is charged with possession of a schedule I substance for the purpose of trafficking (crystal meth), operating a motor vehicle with cannabis readily available and operating a motor vehicle with liquor readily available.
Anyone with information about this incident can contact police at 1-888-579-1520, Ext. 2943, or Durham Regional Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
CRASH LEADS TO AUTO-THEFT BUST
Two teens from Quebec are facing auto theft-related charges, while two other suspects are at large after a crash earlier this month tipped off cops in Oshawa.
Durham Regional Police responded to a crash on Feb. 2 at about 9:35 p.m. in the Olive St.-Ritson Rd. S. area, where two vehicles collided including an unplated black BMW SUV.
Four occupants of the BMW fled from the scene on foot with two of them located nearby and arrested. Police said they then seized the BMW after allegedly linking it to “numerous” auto thefts and attempted auto thefts.
The occupants of the other vehicle sustained minor injuries.
Onyie Andre, 19, and Cyriaque Koffi, 19, both of Quebec, are charged with multiple offences including failure to comply with a release order and possession of an electronic device suitable for auto theft for the purpose of auto theft. Andre is also charged with theft of a motor vehicle.
The first outstanding suspect is a male who was wearing a black jacket, red hooded sweater, light-coloured flannel shirt, black pants and black shoes with light soles.
The second suspect is a male who was wearing a black jacket, blue hooded sweater, blue track pants and white and black sneakers.
Anyone with information about this incident can contact police at 1-888-579-1520, Ext. 7828, or Durham Regional Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.