Telephone: 416-808-7568
E-Mail: G20InvestigativeTeam@TorontoPolice.on.ca

“The rights of assembly, association, and freedom of expression are vital for a healthy democracy,” said David Molenhuis, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. “The excessive use of force, pre-emptive detention, and unreasonable search and seizure carried out against peaceful protestors and innocent by-standers during the G20 undermined these fundamental rights.”

The letter stated that, “The only way for Canadians to understand exactly what transpired during this Summit is through an independent public inquiry into security during the 2010 Canadian G8 and G20 Summits, held jointly by the Ontario and Federal governments. Such an inquiry must include opportunities for public input and participation, and produce findings that are released to the public. The inquiry should consider the impact of security measures on the Charter rights of citizens to freedom of assembly, association, expression, and due process.”

“Although there have been wide-ranging reports of police abuses, Prime Minister Harper, Premier McGuinty, and Toronto Mayor David Miller have refused to hold the Toronto Police and other members of the Integrated Security Unit accountable for their actions,” added Molenhuis. “Canadians are quickly losing faith in our governments. A public inquiry is the only way that we can get to the bottom of what happened at the G20 and restore public confidence in our government and police.”

The statement was endorsed by Canada’s national students’ union, the Canadian Federation of Students as well as a number of labour organisations including the Canadian Association of University Teachers, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union, CUPE-Ontario, and the Ontario Federation of Labour, and a wide range of civil society organisations and coalitions including Amnesty International Canada, Make Poverty History Canada, Greenpeace, the Ad Hoc Coalition for Women’s Equality, the Indigenous Environmental Network, Alternatives, the Council of Canadians and many others.

The letter, along with a full list of signatories, is available for download at www.cfs-fcee.ca/g20police.

Founded in 1981, the Canadian Federation of Students is Canada’s oldest and largest students’ organisation, uniting over one-half million students from all ten provinces.

Police request assistance with aggravated assault investigation

Thursday, April 29, 2010 – 5:27 AM
51 Division
416-808-5100

On Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at 9:22 p.m., police responded to an unknown trouble call in the Queen Street East/Sherbourne Street area.

It is reported that:

- police located a 36-year-old man suffering from obvious signs of trauma,

- an altercation began on the street between a man and the victim,

- the suspect ran northbound on Sherbourne Street.

The victim was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The suspect is described as white, 20-25, 5’8″-5’10″, thin build, short-crop hair with a goatee. He was last seen wearing a green, plaid shirt, baggy, blue jeans and a white T-shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).

Print this release

Files:

Above: Suspect #1 in shooting investigation

Above: Suspect #2 in shooting investigation

Above: Suspect #2 in shooting investigation

Apr 29, 2010, 04:23 pm

Police requesting assistance with shooting investigation,
Security camera video released

22 Division
416-808-2200

On Friday, April 23, 2010, police responded to a call for a shooting in the Lake Shore Boulevard West/Albert Avenue area.

It is alleged that:

- on Friday, April 23, 2010, at 8 p.m., three men went into a barber shop armed with handguns,

- they assaulted the employees with the handguns,

- one of the men fired his handgun,

- three men were then injured inside the barber shop,

- police located two handguns at the scene.

The three men were taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Gaddafi Benjamin, 37, of Brampton, has been charged with:
1) Disguise with intent,
2) Carry concealed weapon,
3) Pointing a firearm,
4) two counts of Assault with weapon,
5) Weapons Dangerous,
6) Assault,
7) Robbery while armed with firearm,
Possession of firearm contrary to prohibition order.

His court date remains to be scheduled.

The two outstanding suspects are described as:

1) black, 20-30. He was last seen wearing a grey hoodie sweatshirt with a logo of an eight on the right chest, blue jeans and white runners.

2) black, 20-30. He was was seen wearing all-black clothing.

They are to be considered armed and dangerous.

Click here for video

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).

Typical cases involving identity theft include situations where government documents such as drivers’ licenses, health cards, Social Insurance Number (S.I.N.) cards and birth certificates have been forged or otherwise obtained. When identity is compromised, the consequences have a profound impact on individuals, businesses, government funds, and the public, in general.

Some basic steps consumers can take to better protect themselves from becoming a victim include never giving out personal information over the phone or over the internet and carry only the identification documents you need.

The OPP Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau’ Identity Crimes Unit also now has stronger legislative tools with which to charge criminals for possessing the personal information of others and prevent it from being used for fraud or theft.

QUOTES

“Identity theft is the starting point for many types of crimes – credit and debit card fraud, mortgage fraud, and account takeovers among other things. Savvy criminals can manipulate technology in order to obtain documents that will support their crimes.” – Deputy Commissioner Vince Hawkes, Ontario Provincial Police, Provincial Commander, Investigations/Organized Crime Command

“Combating identity crimes requires the collaborative efforts of the financial industry, law enforcement, government agencies, and consumers. Consumers need to take steps that make it less likely for them to become a victim of identity theft.” – Inspector Don Perron, Ontario Provincial Police, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau.

                                 BACKGROUND

                           OPP IDENTITY CRIMES UNIT
                           ------------------------

OPP Identity Crimes Unit (ICU) resides within the Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau in the Investigations and Organized Crime Command.

OPP ICU investigates forgery, identity theft and consumer fraud. The unit also takes the lead role in investigations into organized criminal groups carrying out fraudulent schemes involving the fabrication, trafficking and use of forged payment cards, forged cheques and counterfeit currency.

The ICU works in conjunction with municipal police services, OPP regions, as well as national and international law enforcement agencies and stakeholders, to identify and apprehend organized crime groups, locally and on a global basis.

                               IDENTITY CRIMES
                               ---------------

Identity crimes include the acquisition of information or documents confirming identity of a living or deceased person, in order to perpetrate offences under the Criminal Code of Canada or any other statute. Typical cases involving identity theft include situations where government documents such as drivers’ licenses, health cards, Social Insurance Number (SIN) cards and birth certificates have been forged or otherwise obtained. When your identity is compromised, the consequences have a profound impact on individuals, businesses, government funds, and the public, in general. Being a victim can affect your job, reputation, credit rating, benefits, or access to your own business and/or financial accounts.

The Canadian Bankers Association reported a loss of almost 500-million dollars in relation to the theft of payment card data in 2008.

In October 2009, legislation was passed by the Government of Canada to combat identity theft. This legislation provides law enforcement agencies with the tools and the ability to charge criminals for possessing the personal information of others before it is used for fraud or theft.

For more information, visit your financial institution’s website, or contact the Canadian Bankers Association, Interac, Equifax, or TransUnion.

The OPP Identity Crimes Unit also has a number of tips and contacts to help you avoid becoming a victim of identity theft. To get more information, click on this link.

                       IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION TIPS
                       ------------------------------

When impostors co-opt your name, your Social Insurance Number (SIN), your credit card number, or some other piece of personal information without your knowledge for their use — it’s a crime, plain and simple. Consumers can take some basic steps to better protect themselves from becoming a victim of identity theft includes the following:

    -   NEVER give out personal information on the phone, through mail, or
        over the Internet unless you have initiated the transaction or are
        absolutely certain with whom you are speaking.
    -   CARRY only the Identity Documents you need. For example: When was the
        last time you were asked to produce your Social Insurance Card? Many
        of us have carried it in our wallets or purses for many years. The
        Social Insurance Card is identification that is very useful for
        criminals.
    -   NEVER throw personal documents in the garbage without shredding them
        first. Identity thieves routinely pick through garbage and recycling
        bins. Documents to be shredded include credit applications or offers,
        insurance forms, and physician statements.
    -   ALWAYS check your bank and credit card statements to ensure that they
        are accurate, and make sure they arrive on time. Notify your bank
        immediately if the statements stop arriving at their normal time as
        they could have been diverted to another address by a criminal.
    -   NEVER give out your Personal Identification Number (PIN) over the
        phone or on the Internet. Financial institutions WILL NEVER ask you
        for your PIN over the phone or via the Internet.
    -   CHANGE your passwords regularly. Use hard-to-guess passwords or a
        combination of letters and numbers. And never share your password
        with anyone.
    -   ALWAYS ensure you're in a safe environment when on the internet. Look
        for the closed-lock or unbroken-key icons on your browser when
        entering your credit card number or other sensitive data. If you
        don't see the unbroken key or closed lock, or if the key is broken or
        the padlock is open, your transaction is not being securely
        transmitted across the Internet.
    -   CLEAR your browser's cache after visiting secure sites to ensure
        nobody else can view confidential information you may have
        transmitted.
    -   INSTALL and maintain a firewall to guard against unwanted access to
        your computer and make sure you have the latest anti-virus software
        installed.
    -   BE suspicious of spam e-mails. Criminals will use e-mails to 'phish'
        for your personal information. Do not use the links provided by
        'phishing' e-mails. They could direct you to a criminal's website
        that appears similar to that of a legitimate financial institution.
        ALWAYS manually direct yourself to your financial institution's
        website if conducting on-line banking.
    -   CONDUCT credit checks on yourself periodically to ensure that your
        Credit Profile accurately reflects your situation and report any
        discrepancies immediately.

For further information: Detective Sergeant Doug COUSENS, Ontario Provincial Police, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, (905) 671-6883

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 – 6:00 PM
12 Division
416-808-7400

On Sunday, February 7, 2010, at 11:12 p.m., police responded to a call for a shooting in the Jane Street/Trethewey Drive area.

See previous release.

On Tuesday, February 9, 2010, Toronto Crime Stoppers posted a video appeal on YouTube, Facebook, and on Twitter.

Video Here:

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).

On January 15th, officers with the Canada Border Services Agency in Montreal intercepted an incoming sea container destined for Toronto with 27 kilograms of cocaine concealed among its cargo. The RCMP’s National Ports Enforcement Team was contacted and the shipment was modified and allowed to continue to Toronto.

On February 4, 2010, Soon Fat LIEW, 28 of Markham and Jim Toung LA, 41, of Scarborough were arrested when as they unloaded what they believed to be products containing cocaine. They are charged with Conspiracy to Import Cocaine into Canada, Importing Cocaine and Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking. They appeared in Newmarket court on February 5, 2010.

“This is a great example of inter-agency cooperation,” said Staff Sgt. Glen Stefureak, Acting Officer in Charge of the RCMP’s GTA Drug Section. “By working together we can better ensure the integrity of our borders and prevent their exploitation by criminal organizations.”

The investigation which began in the Parry Sound area in November 2009 identified a group of suspects who were responsible for numerous incidents of credit card terminal tampering across the Greater Toronto area and Ontario. The investigation determined these suspects were also responsible for the use of the fraudulent debit card data collected from the tampered “pin pads”. The suspects targeted various retail establishments which conduct credit and debit card transactions without the knowledge of the various retailers.

On January 21, 2010 investigators from the OPP OCEB-Identity Crimes Unit and Durham Regional Police assisted by Peel Regional Police, Toronto Police and Canada Border Services executed nine search warrants across the Greater Toronto area. As a result of the warrants, investigators arrested nine persons and seized stolen point-of-sale terminal “pin pads”, hundreds of forged debit cards encoded with stolen debit card data, computer equipment used to encode magnetic stripes and over $100,000 in cash.

Investigators have laid charges under the new Identity Theft legislation brought into Canadian law on January 8, 2010.

Police along with the banking industry continue to work together to detect and prevent these crimes, which cost hundreds of millions of dollars in losses each year in Canada.

Charged in relation to this offence are:

Sanjeevan BALACHANDRASRI, male, 22 years old of Toronto is charged with Fraud Over $5000, Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained By Crime, Unauthorized Use of Credit Card Data, Participate in a Criminal Organization, Conspiracy To Commit an Indictable Offence, Unauthorized Possession of Credit Card Data, Possess Instruments For Forging Credit Cards, Theft of a Credit Card, Purposely Possess Identification Information and Breach of Undertaking.

Thijeepan THIRUGNANASAMBANTHAM, male, 19 years old of Brampton is charged with Fraud Over $5000, Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained By Crime, Unauthorized Use of Credit Card Data, Participate in a Criminal Organization, Conspiracy To Commit an Indictable Offence, Unauthorized Possession of Credit Card Data, Possess Instruments For Forging Credit Cards, Theft of a Credit Card and Purposely Possess Identification Information.

Yokeswaran SUBRAMANIUM, male, 23 years old of Toronto is charged with Fraud over $5000, Theft under $5000, Participate in a Criminal Organization, Conspiracy To Commit An Indictable Offence, Unlawful Possession of Credit Card Data and Purposely Possess Identification Information.

Dhwani Mukund PATEL, female, 19 years old of Toronto is charged with Fraud Over $5000, Theft Under $5000, Participate in a Criminal Organization and Conspiracy To Commit an Indictable Offence.

Thayalan SINNARASA, male, 31 years old of Brampton is charged with Fraud over $5000, Theft under $5000, Participate in a Criminal Organization, Unlawful Possession of Credit Card Data and Purposely Possess Identification Information.

Sanraj BALACHANDRASRI, male, 21 years old of Toronto is charged with Fraud over $5000, Participate in a Criminal Organization and Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence.

Selvaruban MARKANDU, male, 36 years old of Brampton is charged with Fraud over $5000, Participate in a Criminal Organization, Conspiracy to commit and Indictable Offence and Breach of Probation.

Balasubramaniam BALACHANDRASRI, male, 33 years old of Toronto is charged with Participation in a Criminal Organization and Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence.

Thayalan KAAYATHIRI, female, 19 years old of Toronto for Fraud Over $5000, Unlawful Possession of Credit Card Data, Possess Instrument for Forging Credit Cards, Participate in a Criminal Organization and Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence.

Anyone with information in relation to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Doug Cousens of the OPP Identity Crimes Unit at 1-905-671-6883 or Detective Jeff Caplan of the DRPS Major Crime – Fraud Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5702.

Police caution the public to always be alert and aware when using their respective bank debit cards.

Anonymous information can be sent to Crime Stoppers where tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

For further information: Inspector Don Perron, Ontario Provincial Police, Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau, (905) 671-6891, www.opp.ca

The SIU was contacted on September 8, 2009, regarding a complaint of a sexual nature against one officer with the TPS. The alleged incident occurred six days prior, on September 2, 2009. The SIU was notified that on this date, the 21-year-old man was stopped for driving infractions. There was an interaction, and as a result, the man sustained injuries.

As a result of the SIU investigation, Constable Salameh Marji of the TPS is facing one charge of Sexual Assault, contrary to s. 271 of the Criminal Code of Canada and one charge of Assault, contrary to s. 266 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

A summons was served on the officer today, and he is compelled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at College Park Courthouse in Toronto on January 18, 2010. The Justice Prosecutions branch of the Ministry of the Attorney General will have carriage of the prosecution.

As this matter is now before the courts, and in consideration of the fair trial interests of the charged officer and the community, the SIU will make no further comment pertaining to this investigation.

The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates cases of serious injuries (including allegations of sexual assault) and deaths involving the police. Pursuant to section 113 of the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU is mandated to consider whether a criminal offence has been committed by an officer(s) in connection with the incident under investigation and, where warranted by the evidence, to cause a criminal charge or charges to be laid against the officer(s). The Director reports the results of investigations to the Attorney General.