CRIME SCENE: Cops hunting thief in $40K Burlington jewel heist

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Investigators are hoping the public can help identify the brazen thief wanted for last month’s $40,000 jewelry heist at the Burlington Mall.

Halton Regional Police say a man entered Griffin Jewellery Designs asking to look at some rings around 5:20 p.m. on Oct. 12.

While examining an expensive engagement ring, the man told the employee there were armed thugs outside the store. The man then departed the store with the ring, valued at $40,000.

He is about 30, over 6-feet-tall, clean-shaven with dark brown hair and light brown eyes. At the time, he was wearing black shoes, black Adidas pants, a black jacket, black T-shirt, and dark tinted aviator-style sunglasses. He also had multiple light-coloured scars on both hands.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call police at 905-825-4777, ext. 2316, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

DRIVER SERIOUSLY INJURED IN CRASH

A driver suffered life-threatening injuries when a car slammed into a pole in Brampton early Friday.

The crash occurred just after 3 a.m. in the area of Sandalwood Pkwy. and Heart Lake Rd. The parkway was later closed in the area of the crash and cops asked drivers to avoid the area.

TORONTO MAN, 26, CHARGED IN $140K DOPE BUST

A Toronto man has been arrested and now faces a slew of drug-related charges after detectives allegedly seized more than $140,000 in cocaine and fentanyl in St. Catharines.

Niagara Regional Police claim a street crime unit came across a Chevy Sonic on Nov. 28 that officers believed was related to illicit drugs.

Allegedly seized was $40,000 in cocaine, $100,000 in red fentanyl along with $4540 in Canadian currency.

Charged is Tiroune Lloyd Hazell, 26. He has been released on bail.

Meanwhile, on Thursday Niagara Regional Police officers arrested the driver of a blue Volkswagen that was driving erratically. Officers determined the driver was allegedly impaired and he was arrested. Fentanyl and bennies were allegedly found in the car.

Daniel Denis Petrucci, 39, was charged with impaired (drugs) and trafficking.

MAN POSING AS SPY BURNED WOMEN FOR $2M

A Waterloo man is accused of posing as a spy and defrauding starstruck women of more than $2 million in a Lonely Hearts scam over the past 15 years.

Waterloo Regional Police allege the unidentified 49-year-old accused posed as a Canadian Security Intelligence Service agent and “established romantic relationships” with female victims.

“The victims were convinced to make fictitious investments and support the male’s lifestyle,” police allege.

The accused, whose name was not released, is charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of stolen property over $5,000.