CRIME SCENE: Whitby man, 47, charged with child luring

Yahoo

04-04-2025

A 47-year-old Whitby man has been charged in connection with a child luring probe.
Durham Regional Police said on Thursday they wrapped up an investigation concerning a man communicating with whom he believed was a 14-year-old girl after it's alleged he sent sexually explicit images and made arrangements to meet the girl at a park in Pickering to engage in sexual acts.
Cops said when the man arrived at the park, members from the ICE Unit took him into custody without incident.
Steven Catucci is charged with luring a person under 16 years of age by means of telecommunication and make sexually explicit material available to a person under 16 years of age.
Cops allege the suspect communicated on 'Chat IB' with the username 'Durham4222' and are concerned there may be other victims. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5544., or contact Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
York Regional Police are seeking the public's help in locating a 42-year-old man without a fixed address who is wanted for numerous commercial break-and-enters across the region.
On Feb. 28, officers responded to the report of a break-and-enter in the area of Commerce Valley Dr. and Hwy. 7 W. in Richmond Hill, where a suspect stole electronics.
On March 5, police responded to the report of a break-and-enter in the area of Hwy. 7 and Hwy. 404 in Markham where a suspect broke into a commercial building and stole electronics.
Police said the same suspect is wanted in both incidents and believe he is responsible for as many as eight commercial break-and-enters in the same areas.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Habib Zahrabi Shotorban on five counts of break and enter commit, eight counts of breach of probation, two counts of fail to comply with release order, and one count each of disguise with intent and mischief under $5,000.
At the time of these incidents, the accused was on probation and a release order for previous commercial break-and-enters. He also has a bench warrant currently in effect.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7245 or ext. 6545, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, or at 1800222tips.com.
Halton Regional Police are searching for two suspects after a home invasion in Milton.
On Friday at 4:05 a.m., it's reported that two suspects, one armed with a hammer, forced open the front door of a home in the area of Wilson Dr. and Joyce Blvd.
Cops said the suspects confronted an adult male resident demanding the keys to his vehicles and after a brief physical struggle for control of the hammer, both suspects fled the residence on foot.
No physical injuries were sustained and no property was taken.
Both suspects are described as male, wearing dark-coloured clothing and face masks.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation, including any security or dash-cam video from the area between 3:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. is asked to contact police at 905-825-4777 ext. 2416, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or at haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
Hamilton Police are appealing to the public for assistance regarding a motor vehicle collision that left two victims with serious injuries.
Cops said on Dec. 17, 2024, around 8:20 p.m., they responded to the area of Cootes Dri. and Main St. W. after two pedestrians crossing the crosswalk on Cootes Dr. were struck by an SUV, which was travelling northbound.
Police said the vehicle did not stop and continued northbound without remaining at the scene.
Witnesses described the SUV as an older-model, blue vehicle — possibly a Dodge Durango.
The pedestrians were transported to hospital after sustaining serious, but non-life-threatening injuries
Police are seeking any witnesses to the incident and urge anyone with information to come forward.
Investigators are also asking motorists who were in the area at the time to review their dash-cam footage or any residents or businesses nearby with surveillance cameras to check for any relevant recordings.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 905-546-4753 or [e-mail], or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppershamilton.com.
CRIME SCENE: Toronto apartment super accused of defrauding potential renters
CRIME SCENE: Two Mississaugans face multiple firearm-related charges
Toronto Police are making the public aware of a dramatic increase in the frequency of scammers calling intended victims using Toronto Police phone numbers.
It is reported that people are receiving unsolicited phone calls from scammers identifying themselves as Toronto Police officers and the complainant's phone will often display 'Toronto Police.'
It's further reported the scammer tells the complainant their information has been compromised and instructs the complainant to pay a fee in Bitcoin to fix the situation; the complainant is being advised that they are wanted by police and are instructed to pay a fine; or the complainant is told there is an ongoing investigation involving them in China.
Police said the complainant is then told to do a video call with a male wearing a police uniform who identifies as a police officer from China and the complainant is told to send money in order for an investigation to be completed.
The complainant is also told to provide their personal identity information, their bank account information and their credit cards.
Toronto Police Service – Financial Crimes advises Toronto Police will never contact you by telephone and make any demands for payment of any kind.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at 222tips.com.