CRIME SCENE: Man, 24, accused of online extortion of Alberta youth faces child porn charges
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A 24-year-old Toronto man is facing child porn charges after allegedly extorting a rural Alberta youth.
Mounties in Alberta said they started investigating in December 2024 after receiving reports that a child from Oyen, a town about 190 km north of Medicine Hat near the Saskatchewan border, was allegedly victimized online.
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Investigators retrieved information linked to a suspect’s social media, email and online banking, leading to a Toronto man being identified.
RCMP in Oyen collaborated with Toronto Police to execute a search warrant at the accused man’s home where he was arrested.
Abdul-Waris Omotalani Shittu faces five charges including making sexual material available to a child, extortion and possessing, accessing and distributing child pornography.
HAMILTON MAN FACES 19 CHARGES TIED TO IMPORTING FIREARMS
A 24-year-old Hamilton man has been charged with 19 offences tied to importing firearms and prohibited devices.
In March, members assigned to the OPP’s Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST) in Niagara and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations initiated an intelligence-led investigation into the alleged importation of firearms and prohibited devices from the U.S. into Canada.
On April 16, an individual was arrested in Burlington by members assigned to BEST from the OPP, Toronto Police, Peel Regional Police, Niagara Regional Police and the Canada Border Services Agency with assistance from the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit, OPP Highway Enforcement Team and the OPP Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit.
Daniel Menezes has been charged with two counts each of importing a firearm knowing it’s unauthorized, unauthorized importation of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, possession of a firearm knowing it was unauthorized, and possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition, as well as other related charges.
MAN CHARGED, WEAPON SEIZED AFTER ARMED ROBBERY IN MISSISSAUGA
A 34-year-old man without a fixed address faces a slew of weapons charges after an armed robbery in Mississauga.
Peel Regional Police said the victim was working at a retail store last Sunday in the Lakeshore Rd. E.-Hurontario St. area around 8:15 a.m. when it’s alleged a man entered the establishment with his face covered, pointed a firearm at the victim and demanded money.
The bandit fled the store on foot. The victim wasn’t physically injured.
Peel cops found a suspect a short distance away and arrested him. During the arrest, cops allegedly seized a firearm and ammunition that were in his possession.
Kevan Smith is charged with robbery, wearing a disguise with intent, knowledge of an unauthorized possession of a firearm, careless use of a firearm, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, carry concealed weapon, pointing a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, and breach of a probation order.
At the time of his arrest, Smith was on probation for a previous violent offence. He was held for a bail hearing.
SUSPECT SOUGHT FOR RETAIL ROBBERY IN NORTH YORK
An unidentified suspect is sought following a retail robbery in the city on Wednesday.
Toronto Police said officers responded to a robbery call in the Bathurst St.-Steeles Ave. W. area. Police said that a man entered a store and asked for a product recommendation. The victim opened a cabinet, at which time the man allegedly threatened the victim before taking several items and fleeing the store in an unknown direction.
The suspect is six feet tall with a medium build and a black beard. He was wearing a blue jacket with light-coloured fur on the hood, a blue hooded sweatshirt, blue pants, red shoes, and an orange toque.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-3200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
MAN WANTED AFTER DOWNTOWN ASSAULT
An unidentified suspect is wanted after a victim was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries following a downtown assault two months ago.
Toronto Police said officers responded to an assault call in the Bloor St. W.-Dufferin St. area. around 10 a.m. on March 7.
Cops said an altercation took place between a man and the victim and when the victim tried to walk away, the man assaulted him.
The assailant fled the area in an unknown direction.
He’s described as in his early 20s, 5-foot-8, with brown hair and a beard. He was wearing a dark-coloured OVO hooded sweater with a large owl on the front, a gold chain, black pants, and black and white Air Jordan running shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-1100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
INFO SOUGHT AFTER MOTORCYCLIST HURT IN CRASH
Witnesses are sought after a motorcyclist suffered life-threatening injuries in a crash on Wednesday.
Toronto Police said officers responded to a collision at 4:46 p.m. in the Eglinton Ave. W.-Kipling Ave. area,
Cops said that a 20-year-old female was driving a blue Kawasaki motorcycle east on Eglinton while a 58-year-old man was driving a silver Dodge Nitro west on Eglinton. The driver of the Dodge made a left turn from Eglinton to southbound Kipling and struck the motorcyclist, who was taken to hospital.
The Dodge driver remained at the scene.
Traffic Services continues to investigate and police are asking local residents, businesses, and drivers who may have security or dash-camera footage of the area or incident to call police at 416-808-1900, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or at 222tips.com.
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JEWELRY DISTRACTION THEFTS MAKING COMEBACK: YORK COPS
Jewelry distraction thefts have re-emerged in York Region.
As such, York Regional Police are reminding residents to be cautious when speaking with strangers.
“In these incidents, suspects travel around by car, looking to engage with susceptible individuals, usually seniors, who are by themselves and wearing jewelry,” police said in a news release on Thursday. “One suspect will either entice the victim to come close to the vehicle to ask a question or will come out of the car to speak with the victim.”
The suspect will thank the victim by offering a gift, and in some cases, money. During this brief interaction, the suspect is able to remove the piece of jewelry from the victim and leaves the scene.
“In several reported incidents, a male has been observed as the driver, while a female in the front passenger seat engages with the victim,” police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7244, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at 1800222tips.com.
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