Latest news with #HRPS
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Halton's most wanted: One arrested, one still on the run
One of Halton's most wanted suspects has been arrested in Montreal, while another remains at large, according to Halton Regional Police. On June 4, officers from the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS), with assistance from Montreal authorities, arrested Raffaele-Giulio Draicchio, 26, who was initially charged in February 2024 in connection with an auto theft investigation in Oakville. At the time, Draicchio and three other individuals were arrested after being found in possession of two stolen Toyota 4Runners, along with various tools and devices commonly associated with high-tech auto theft. Draicchio was charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 (three counts), possession of break-in instruments, possession of an automobile master key, and possession of a device to obtain computer services. He was later released on bail, but failed to appear in court in May 2025. As a result, police laid an additional charge of failing to re-attend court. He was transported back to Halton following his arrest and was held for a bail hearing. His arrest comes as part of the HRPS's Halton's Most Wanted program, which launched on Jan. 20, 2025. The initiative aims to publicize the names and faces of the region's most dangerous offenders in an effort to generate investigative leads and bring them to justice. Despite this recent development, police say Matthew Flannigan, 33, remains outstanding and is considered dangerous. On July 22, 2023, Flannigan was stopped by an officer on Plains Road East in Burlington. Police allege the officer had grounds to arrest Flannigan under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, but a violent struggle ensued. The officer sustained a broken leg, and Flannigan fled the scene at high speed. He has not been seen since. Flannigan is wanted on multiple charges, including unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order (two counts), and possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition. He is described as 33 years old, 170 pounds, five-foot-nine, with brown eyes, long brown hair that may be braided, a scruffy beard, and tattoos of skulls on both forearms, as well as the letters 'ABG' on the side of his neck. Police advise the public not to approach Flannigan if spotted. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777, ext. 2316. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at . A cash reward of up to $2,000 may be available for information leading to an arrest. Photos and additional details about both individuals can be found at Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
02-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
HRPS, Halton Healthcare launch mental health support team
The Halton Regional Police Service and Halton Healthcare have partnered to launch a pilot Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT) aimed at providing enhanced care to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis across the region. Under the MCRRT program, a specially trained HRPS officer will be paired with a healthcare professional to jointly respond to urgent mental health calls. The officer's role is to ensure safety, while the healthcare worker assesses the individual's needs and recommends next steps. The team may engage in conversation to de-escalate the situation and provide comfort, or, based on the circumstances, connect the individual to community services offering expert care and recovery resources. Hospitalization will occur only if no other safe or appropriate option exists. The MCRRT program has three main objectives: ensuring the individual's first point of contact is with a mental health expert, reducing strain on hospitals and the justice system by diverting individuals to community care, and alleviating demand on HRPS frontline officers to allow response to other emergencies. The new initiative expands on an existing MCRRT partnership between HRPS and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, which pioneered the crisis response model. Between Jan. 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025, HRPS received 5,476 calls related to mental health and addictions. Of those, 1,739 were answered by the HRPS–St. Joseph's MCRRT. The Halton Healthcare partnership is expected to handle an additional 10 per cent of annual mental health-related calls. 'Every day, our officers see the tremendous amount of distress experienced by people who are in crisis,' said HRPS Deputy Chief Kevin Maher. 'Though we are always ready to respond, we know healthcare professionals and community services are better equipped to provide robust support. Our hope is that MCRRT programs reduce repeat crises by ensuring individuals receive the care they need, allowing our officers to focus on other emergency calls. This partnership is a win for everyone.' Claudia Barning, program director of mental health and addictions at Halton Healthcare, said the collaboration marks a meaningful step in improving care for people in crisis. 'By integrating healthcare professionals into these situations, we can offer immediate support and ensure individuals receive timely and appropriate care,' she said. 'Our goal is to reduce the number of repeat crises and help people lead healthier lives. Together, we are creating a safer and more compassionate community.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Car crash in Burlington sends 2 people to hospital: police
Appleby Line between Britannia and Derry roads in Burlington is closed for a crash investigation Two people have been taken to the hospital following a crash in Burlington on Tuesday morning. The incident occurred near Appleby Line and Derry Road. Images from the scene show a white car on its side and a knocked-down hydro pole. Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) said five people were located inside the car, two of whom were transported to the hospital with unknown injuries. They have not released any details about the circumstances that led to the crash. The cause is also unknown. Anyone with further information is asked to contact HRPS or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- CTV News
‘Disappointed and puzzled': Hundreds of trees uprooted, damaged in Halton Hills parks
150 potted trees are seen in Acton's Wallace Park before they were reportedly ripped up. (Halton Hills) More than 100 trees have been uprooted or damaged at two parks in Halton Hills this month. In a news release, the town says a 25-year-old pine tree in Georgetown's Jubilee Park was destroyed, and 150 newly planted trees in Acton's Wallace Park were uprooted. 'There is no excuse for this intentional destruction,' Halton Hills Mayor Ann Lawlor said in the release issued Thursday. 'One of the best features of our town is our beautiful trees and I am profoundly disappointed about the deliberate vandalism of public property.' Lawlor said it was during a townwide clean-up day in Jubilee Park that she noticed axe cuts on the 'mature' pine tree. 'It had been girdled, with cuts through the bark around the trunk diameter to kill it by disrupting its ability to absorb nutrients,' she said. On May 8, volunteers planted about 150 potted trees, but the town says by Mother's Day, neighbourhood residents noticed they had been ripped up. The town says community members attempted to save the trees by replanting and watering them. A community not-for-profit, Trees for Halton Hills, filed a report with the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS). 'One of the many things that sets Halton Hills apart is the great pride residents take in their community,' said Roger Wilkie, HRPS Deputy Chief of Frontline Operations in the release. 'Vandalism of these, and any public space in our region, are crimes that we, as your police service, take seriously and will not tolerate.' '[I'm] disappointed and puzzled as to why someone would go to the trouble to do this,' said Don Trant, volunteer board member with Trees for Halton Hills. 'We were expanding the edge of the forest by planting native trees which means that they are less susceptible to pests and disease and would provide an environment for other wildlife.' Anyone with information is asked to contact HRPS at 905-825-4777 ext. 2416.
