
Peel police bust ‘violent' crime groups allegedly linked to 17 home invasions

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Global News
10 hours ago
- Global News
Shoplifting on the rise in B.C., but one group says stores have given up reporting
A citizen group advocating for the reduction of street disorder in B.C. says federal crime statistics do not paint the whole picture of what is happening in the province. The agency attributed much of the overall decline in the crime severity index in 2024 to a six-per cent drop in non-violent crime, which includes such crimes as property and drug offences. Story continues below advertisement Save Our Streets in B.C. told Global News that stats show a decrease in certain crimes but that is because many people and businesses have given up reporting to authorities. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'It's driving some companies out of business, losing jobs in certain communities as a result,' Jess Ketchum, co-founder of Save Our Streets, said. It appears, however, that shoplifting is up, with a 66-per cent increase Canada-wide in incidents of shoplifting under $5,000. In B.C., Statistics Canada reports that in the last four years, shoplifting violations have increased nearly 80 per cent. 'We've had particular reports from the Kootenays that would indicate that people have just given up on reporting these crimes because they know the police just don't have the resources to do everything we're asking them to do,' Ketchum added. 2:14 City of Vancouver launches shoplifting and retail theft task force The head of London Drugs says shoplifting often leads to violence against staff. Story continues below advertisement 'Physical assault, death threats are routine, the production of needles, pipes, hammers, weapons that could cause permanent and life-altering harm to employees are routine,' Clint Mahlman, president and COO of London Drugs, said. Mahlman says that increased security measures for his downtown Vancouver stores have been making a difference, along with an extra police presence. B.C. stats show 20,486 incidents in 2020, and 36,851 incidents in 2024, which is an increase of 79.8 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. Last year only 4,040 people were charged and it is not known how many charges led to convictions.


CTV News
12 hours ago
- CTV News
TIMELINE: Corey McArthur's troubled past with the Guelph Police Service
July 24 marks one year since a second penalty hearing got underway for a Guelph Police constable. CTV's Krista Simpson explains where the case stands now. July 24 marks one year since a second penalty hearing got underway for a Guelph Police constable. CTV's Krista Simpson explains where the case stands now. Const. Corey McArthur is fighting to stay with the Guelph Police Service following a 2016 incident where he physically assaulted a teen. It was, however, not the first time his professional behaviour was questioned. 2001: Const. Corey McArthur joins the Guelph Police Service. November 2008: McArthur is charged with assault after he makes an arrest for public intoxication outside a Guelph bar. 2010: A judge finds McArthur guilty of assault. The judge gave McArthur an absolute discharge, which meant the charge would not appear on his criminal record. During the proceedings, he was reassigned to administrative duties with the police service. At a police service hearing, McArthur pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct. He was reprimanded and required to work 80 hours of additional shifts. 2013: McArthur is accused of using excessive force. The Guelph Police Service launched an investigation and ultimately deemed it an 'unsubstantiated' complaint. Later that year, he was charged with assault causing bodily harm. That charged was later withdrawn. September 2016: A 17-year-old was acting erratically after using crystal meth and threatened to harm himself. While handcuffed to a bed at Guelph General Hospital, the teen kneed Corey McArthur in his chest or stomach. In response, McArthur elbowed the teen causing or aggravating an injury. The teen had a 3.5 centimetre cut under his eye, bruising and swelling. The laceration required stitches. The incident was captured on surveillance video inside the hospital. October 2016: McArthur goes on leave and receives Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits for two years. The constable was initially charged with assault causing bodily harm but ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. According to the Ontario Sunshine List, McArthur's salary in 2016 was $101,804. Sept. 27, 2018: McArthur pleaded guilty to a criminal assault charge. He is given a conditional discharge with three years maximum probation and 240 hours of community service. The judge agreed that an undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) played a role in McArthur's actions, causing him to overact and use excessive force. In 2013, Guelph Police Const. Jennifer Kovach was killed on the way to McArthur's call for backup. The icy road conditions caused a collision between Kovach's car and a Guelph bus. Another factor in the judge's decision was McArthur's decision to seek treatment during his two-year absence from the police force. He also noted that there were 'similarities between the 2008 and 2016 incidents. Both involved acts of violence and he was 'amped up' both times.' Following the sentencing, Guelph Police served McArthur with a notice of suspension pending the outcome of the hearing. As stipulated under the Police Services Act, he was suspended with pay. 2019: McArthur's salary, according to the Ontario Sunshine List, is $106,436. 2020: The Ontario Sunshine List records McArthur's salary as $114,756, an increase of 7.8 per cent from the year before. 2021: McArthur's salary on the Ontario Sunshine List is reported as $110,689. That was a 3.5 per cent decrease from 2020. October 2022: A police service hearing is held to determine if McArthur will be reprimanded or dismissed from the Guelph Police Service. Testimony revealed supervisors spoke to McArthur in 2007 about excessive use of force after a 'number' of complaints. McArthur is told he must resign from the force within seven days or risk being fired. At this point, he had been suspended with pay since 2016. November 2022: McArthur files an appeal to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission (OCPC) before the seven-day deadline has elapsed. He argued he should be demoted instead of dismissed. The OCPC can confirm or revoke a decision made during a police service hearing, substitute its own decision or order a new hearing. McArthur's appeal was successful. The OCPC determined that, among other things, the hearing officer did not give enough consideration to McArthur's PTSD. Trial costs and Corey McArthur's salary have cost taxpayers at least $644,570 since his suspension in 2016. The total included prosecution and expert fees, facilities and court reporting fees and hearing officer fees. According to the Ontario Sunshine List, McArthur's salary increased by 5.2 per cent to $116,484. 2023: The Ontario Sunshine List showed McArthur's salary as $115,292. July 24, 2024: McArthur pleaded guilty to discreditable conduct for a second time and another penalty hearing was held. His lawyer said McArthur had gone through extensive counselling and was able to continue working as a police officer. McArthur's salary is listed as $115,489 on the Ontario Sunshine List. July 24, 2025: The second penalty hearing continues. The Guelph Police Service said they are seeking to dismiss McArthur for the 2016 incident at Guelph General Hospital. He remains suspended with pay.


Edmonton Journal
13 hours ago
- Edmonton Journal
'Public narrative was one-sided': Hockey Canada sex assault defence lawyers respond to verdict
Five former Canadian world junior hockey players were found not guilty in a high-profile sexual assault trial related to a 2018 incident in London, Ont. The case had sparked a national reckoning over hockey culture, and what is and what isn't considered consent. Here's how the lawyers for Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote reacted to Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia's verdict, which was delivered in a London courtroom on Thursday. Article content Article content Article content Mr. McLeod will not be speaking to the media, and I understand the other players will not be speaking to the media. I will not be taking questions and other counsel who come to address you, they will not be taking any questions. Article content Mr. McLeod had confidence in the Justice process, and he welcomes Justice Carrocia's decision, confirming that he and his co defendants are not guilty of sexual assault. Justice Carrocia's carefully reasoned decision represents a resounding vindication for Mr. McLeod and for his co defendants. Justice Carrocia's found that the complainant's testimony was incredible and was unreliable. Article content For years, public perception was shaped by a one-sided narrative from a civil lawsuit that went unchallenged. In large part because hockey Canada settled the claim without first informing or consulting the players. The decision was made unilaterally, and the players were only told of the lawsuit and the settlement after the fact. Had they been consulted, they would have refused to settle, and they would have vigorously contested EM's allegations. Article content Article content That version of events dominated headlines and created a lasting and, a false, a false impression of guilt. It was only through this criminal trial that the allegations were fully and finally tested. The court compared the complainant's 2018 statements to the police, which rightly resulted in no charges with the later conflicting civil claim. Key elements of EM's story were contradicted by the evidence, exposing serious falsehood and leading to today's clear and just verdict of not guilty. Justice Carrocia rejected EM's claims of fear and her claims of non consent. That should be the takeaway from today's judgment. Article content Article content The damage to Mr. McLeod's reputation and his career has been significant. But today's decision begins to restore what was very unfairly taken away from him. Mr. McLeod is deeply grateful to his family, friends, his agent, and everybody who stood by him.