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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
HUNTER: Almost all accused in Ontario online child luring sweep released
'A country, a movement, a person that does not value its youth and children doesn't deserve its future.' — Oliver Tambo And Canada is just such a place if recent developments in the nation's courtrooms are any indication. On Thursday, with great fanfare, cops across the province announced they had arrested 36 men and hammered them with 128 charges as a result of an online child luring investigation. You can also toss in a slew of child pornography charges. Cops accessed online chat rooms and social media to ID the alleged perverts and put the 'cuffs on them. Good work, coppers! But what happened next is vomit-inducing. All except two of the suspected creeps were released on bail. You heard that right. As the Sun's Jane Stevenson reported, one of the accused allegedly arrived for their hoped-for tryst with an underage teen armed with snacks. Another brought a mish-mash of sexual paraphernalia. One of the accused is already on the National Sex Offender Registry. None of these men are babes in the woods: The undercover detectives posed as children online, and then they waited. As expected, the alleged pedophiles — or as the faculty lounge now calls them, Minor Attracted Persons — came like flies to feces. As part of the probe, cops rescued nine real victims. But we should not be surprised by this latest outrage, according to Toronto criminal lawyer Monte MacGregor. 'Sexual offences — especially crimes against children — don't have penalties that accord with the actual damage done,' MacGregor told the Toronto Sun. 'These victims may be able to walk, talk and look like they have no issues on the outside, but inside they've been psychologically destroyed.' Among those arrested in the sweep was Steven Catucci, 47, of Whitby. DRPS alleged that Catucci thought he was talking to a 14-year-old girl. He then allegedly sent the teen sexually explicit images and arranged to meet in a Pickering park for sex. Kanav Bhatia, 24, of Toronto, was also ensnared in the spider's web. He allegedly lured and sexually assaulted two girls under the age of 16 in Peel. Cops say he used social media. He was also dinged with making child pornography. Taking the prize for the oldest charged was James Daw, 73, of Hamilton. Investigators say Daw allegedly communicated online with someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl. His missives to the girl allegedly contained 'sexually explicit messages and images,' and she was asked to send him photos. Investigators allege the man communicated on Chat IW with the username 'JuniorJohnson.' According to MacGregor, the goal for judges is a 'categorical comparison of severity' and to find the true reflection of harm done. 'The potential for recidivism isn't always captured. Sexual offences of this repugnant nature really call into question whether this offender should ever be released and whether any punishment will modify his inherent behaviour to endanger young children.' He added, 'I'm not a psychiatrist, but in the legal field, you have to ask whether rehabilitation is ever likely to occur.' MacGregor noted that the Supreme Court of Canada has also called for increased penalties for crimes against children. 'These people have their wires completely disconnected, and there isn't any amount of psychotherapy or medicine that can be administered to rewire their cognitive deficiencies,' he said. 'Eternally damaged and horrifically dangerous.' The investigation continues. None of the charges have been tested in court. PERSONS CHARGED – PROJECT SILKSTONE bhunter@ @HunterTOSun
Global News
28-05-2025
- Global News
Police warn of ‘increased' copper thefts from air conditioners in Ontario city
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook Durham Regional Police have issued a warning about an 'increased' number of copper thefts in downtown Oshawa. Police issued the advisory on social media on Tuesday. 'We've seen a growing number of copper thefts from air conditioning and heat pump units in the downtown Oshawa area and surrounding neighborhoods,' DRPS wrote. Police said they have received 22 reported incidents since the beginning of the year. 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 The incidents involve copper piping and wiring from air conditioning units being stolen in Oshawa, investigators said. ' If you observe any suspicious activity near air conditioning units, please contact the police immediately,' DRPS said. Increased Copper Thefts in Downtown Oshawa We've seen a growing number of copper thefts from air conditioning and heat pump units in the downtown Oshawa area and surrounding neighborhoods. Both residential and commercial properties are being targeted. Since the beginning of the… — Durham Regional Police (@DRPS) May 27, 2025
Toronto Sun
01-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
CRIME SCENE: Man sought in online marketplace fraud in Bowmanville
Durham Regional Police are seeking this suspect in a fraud investigation in Bowmanville. Photo by Durham Regional Police Durham Regional Police are seeking the public's assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a online marketplace fraud investigation in Bowmanville. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Cops say on March 8 around 8:30 p.m., a man arrived at the victim's residence to pick up an item posted online. Police say the suspect presented a screenshot as proof the e-transfer had been completed but this was later determined to be false. They allege the suspect also produced a fraudulent driver's licence. Further investigation revealed the suspect was driving a red Nissan Rogue with stolen licence plates. The wanted man is described as East Asian and 25-30 years old. An image from Durham cops of a man they seek to identify in a fraud investigation. Photo by Handout / DRPS Police believe that there may be additional victims. Anyone with surveillance footage, dash cam footage, or any information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Chapman of Financial Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5352. CHARGES IN DEATH OF CITY STAFFER Police have charged a driver in the death of a City of Hamilton employee killed last month. Cops say on April 4 around 10:30 a.m. they responded to Golf Links Road, between Martindale Cres. and Legend Ct., after two city workers doing road work in the curb lane on Golf Links Rd. were struck by a car. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Police say a white Infiniti sedan travelling westbound hit a 43-year-old male, who was taken to hospital with minor injuries, and a 55-year-old man, who died at the scene. Richard Wasilewski, 76, of Hamilton, is charged with careless operation causing death and careless operation. Caledon OPP seeking six in a residential break and enter on The Gore Road near Castlederg Side Road. Photo by Handout / OPP SIX WANTED FOR BREAK-IN The Caledon detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is investigating an early Wednesday residential break and enter on The Gore Road near Castlederg Side Road. Cops say the home was forcefully entered around 2:55 a.m. by four males who stole a quantity of items. A resident was at home but not injured. Two other males remained outside and all six males were seen leaving in a dark-coloured sedan. Suspect No. 1 was wearing a dark sweater, dark shoes, light-coloured gloves and a Nike balaclava. Suspect No. 2 had on a dark-coloured Champion hooded sweatshirt and dark pants. No. 3 is described as dark-skinned, wearing a dark jacket, jeans, black shoes, and a medical mask and hood. No. 4 is also dark-skinned, wearing glasses, a blue Avirex long sleeve shirt and New Balance shoes. Suspect No. 5, also dark-skinned, wore a blue Canada Goose vest, grey sweatpants, and black and white running shoes. Suspect No. 6 is dark-skinned, wearing a black jacket and black pants with a white and black draw string. Anyone with information is asked to call the OPP Caledon Detachment Major Crime Unit at 1-888-310-1122. Toronto & GTA Ontario Editorial Cartoons NFL Travel USA
