CRIME SCENE: GTA-wide scam includes threats of violence
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Toronto Police say they are tracking a concerning scam in the Greater Toronto Area that involves violent images and threats of violence being sent via text to victims in a bid to extort money.
Police say in addition to texts, people in the GTA are getting calls from U.S. area codes ‘470’ and ‘404’ demanding money. If the intended target doesn’t send money, they will be threatened with violence.
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“We would like to advise the public that this is a known scam in a bid to extort money from the receiver,” police said in a news release.
Police say they want people to be aware of this fraud scam and if anyone receives one of these messages they should report it immediately and not pay any money.
Anyone who has had their information compromised should change passwords to their accounts.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-2222, or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
BIKE BANDIT HELPS FOIL BIKE-RIDING ROBBER
Police say a bike bandit helped foil a bike rider’s attempts to rob a bank.
On Wednesday, Dec. 18, at 12:30 p.m. Hamilton Police were called to a BMO bank at 375 Upper Paradise Rd. for a robbery.
Police say a male suspect arrived at the bank on a bicycle and left it outside the building.
The suspect entered the building and approached a teller, demanded money and was also verbally threatening and indicated he had a weapon.
When confronted by other employees, police say the suspect fled empty-handed only to find someone had stolen his bike.
He ran north on Upper Paradise Rd. and was last seen near Elmwood Ave.
The suspect is described as a white male, 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-8. He was wearing a long, multi-coloured scarf, black sunglasses, a blue surgical mask, a black jacket with fur trim, black gloves, dark pants, and white shoes.
Police are asking people to check their residential cameras and their dash cameras during the time of this incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 905- 546-8934 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
TWO MEN ARE IN CUSTODY AFTER HOME BREAK AND ENTER
Durham Regional Police have two men in custody after a break-in at a Whitby home.
On Christmas Eve at 5:55 a.m., police were called to a break-and-enter at a home in the area of Princess St. and Cassels Rd. after police said two males used a stolen garage door remote to access the garage of a house. Police were able to take one man into custody, but the second fled in a grey SUV. Police located the suspect vehicle and after a traffic stop the second suspect was taken into custody. Zachary Linter, 33, of Courtice, is charged with break and enter, possess property obtained by crime under $5,000, fail to comply with release order, and two counts of fail to comply with probation order. Joseph Davrieux, 55, of Clarington, is charged with break and enter, dangerous operation, flight from police, operate a conveyance while prohibited, and two counts fail to comply with a release order. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2286, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).RECOMMENDED VIDEO
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