CRIME SCENE: Toronto man, 19, charged with human trafficking, firearm offences
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Peel Regional Police have charged a 19-year-old Toronto man with human trafficking and firearm-related offences.
Officers began an investigation in April relating to a victim allegedly involved in the sex trade within the GTA.
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The accused allegedly recruited and exploited the victim into the sex trade and took her earnings, while moving her around the GTA over a five-month span.
At the time of his arrest, the accused was allegedly in possession of a loaded .45-calibre handgun and in the company of a person later identified as a second victim.
Nyah Lapierre was charged on April 7 with 16 offences including assault and two counts of failure to comply with a release order. He was also charged Friday with five additional counts, four relating to a person under 18 years of age.
Investigators believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information about the investigation can contact police at 905-453-2121, Ext. 3555, or Peel Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477 or www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.
TEEN SUFFERS SERIOUS INJURIES IN SHOOTING
A 15-year-old is in custody following a Tuesday morning shooting that left a 17-year-old boy with serious injuries.
Cops said the incident happened in an apartment building at Lawrence Ave. and Weston Rd. around 12:28 a.m.
Officers responded to a shooting call inside the building and found a 17-year-old male victim who had been shot and was sent to a hospital.
NEWMARKET MAN CHARGED IN ROBBERY PROBE
York Regional Police have charged a 50-year-old Newmarket man after a probe into multiple robberies in Newmarket.
Cops said that on Saturday, the same male suspect robbed two convenience stores starting at 1:40 a.m., when the suspect entered a store on Main St. near Davis Dr. and threatened an employee with a hammer before fleeing with cash and cigarettes.
Then at about 9 a.m., the same suspect allegedly entered another store at Davis and Bayview Ave., this time armed with a knife, and demanded cash.
There were no injuries in either incident.
Shane Dunn has been charged with three counts of robbery with an offensive weapon. He was also wanted in connection with an April 5 robbery of a food delivery driver in Newmarket.
Anyone with information about this investigation or other similar incidents can contact police at 1-866-876-5423, Ext. 6630, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.1800222tips.com.
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ARMED ROBBERY AT OSHAWA POT SHOP
Durham Regional Police are investigating after an armed robbery Thursday at a cannabis store in Oshawa.
Cops said that at about 9 p.m. they responded to a robbery at Twisted Root cannabis store, where the suspect allegedly entered the store with a firearm and ordered an employee to hand over cash and cannabis products.
Police alleged the suspect stole cash and fled before police arrived. No physical injuries were reported.
Anyone with video footage or information about this incident can contact police at 1-888-579-1520, Ext. 5355, or Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
BANK INVESTIGATOR SCAM REPORTS SURGE
Halton Regional Police are warning the public about an increase in the bank investigator scam.
Cops said they’ve received 43 reports involving this type of scam, which has resulted in a combined loss of about $522,000.
The scam involves the victim receiving a call from someone pretending to be a bank employee, advising the victim that a fraud has been detected on their personal account and that they require the victim to help stop the fraud.
The fraudster uses a “spoofing app” that makes it appear like they are calling from a legitimate telephone number associated with the bank.
In some cases, victims have been instructed to cut their cards vertically in half and are advised that the bank will send someone to collect the cut-up cards. The fraudster advises the victim that a replacement card will be issued the next day.
A short time later, someone will come to pick up the card, which allows the fraudster to gain access to the victim’s account.
Anyone was has been a victim of fraud can contact the Halton Regional Police non-emergency line at 905-825-4777, the financial crimes unit at 905-465-8741 or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
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