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This Week In Crime: January 13-19
Each week, Torontoist chooses the most interesting cases from the Toronto Police Service crime blotter. All charges are alleged until proven under law.
Major reports this week: Two homicides, five purse snatchings, eighteen swarming robberies, twenty three muggings, twelve business robberies, four home invasions, two vehicle jackings, nine break-and-enters, an aggravated assault, and a sexual assault.
Read on for some detailed reports.
Sunday, 2:45 AM: A fight allegedly takes place at the Union Night Club at 240 Richmond Street West. The brawl is taken out to the sidewalk where one man draws a gun and shoots two others. A 21-year-old is shot in the wrist and a 20-year-old suffered wounds to the chest and groin.
Monday, 9:15 AM: Police arrest a 25-year-old man wanted on charges of defrauding investors of $8 million. The race car enthusiast fled after allegedly obtaining money under the pretense of taking his company, Emexis Integrated Solutions, public.
Monday, 11 AM: A man in a business dispute with a woman shows up at a Queen-Spadina workplace with a can of gasoline, sets himself and then the woman on fire. Injuries were non-life-threatening.
Tuesday, 3 AM: The Special Investigations Unit is investigating an incident where police opened fire on a vehicle containing two men in the Financial District. The car collided with an unmarked police cruiser after a pursuit, when the occupants apparently confronted officers and police weapons were discharged. The Toronto Police do not comment on cases when the SIU has been called-in.
Tuesday: Police lay 94 robbery charges on six boys, aged 13 to 18, who robbed students in the Jane/Wilson area in a series of events since October. The kids were arrested after officers conducted a surveillance operation.
Tuesday: Earlier in the week, police warn of sexual assaults apparently targeting Japanese woman in their 20s in the Yonge-Eglinton area. Thanks in part to security cameras from local businesses, the fuzz arrest the 21-year-old man and ask that any other victims contact 53 Division (416−808−5300) or Crime Stoppers.
Also this week: 26 wedding dresses were stolen in two separate break-and-enters at a Midland & Finch bridal store. Brides-to-be are warned about deals that seem too good to be true. • Police warn the public to be careful of phone calls claiming to be from a competing bank asking for account information. • The Toronto Police fugitive squad arrest a woman wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for more than two months. She’s accused of running scams bilking $2 million from friends in the GTA and about $6 million from contacts in the Phillippines.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416−808−2222 (non-emergency), or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416−222−TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.
Shooting data source: ECRIME database; map image: Google Maps; all other data: Toronto Police Service. Some data are based on preliminary information and may not be verified, and crime classifications may change at a later date. Torontoist makes no warranty, representation or guarantee as to the content, sequence, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of the data provided herein, nor assumes liability for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies presented.