Latest news with #HaltonRegionalPoliceService
Global News
10 hours ago
- Global News
‘Deception and coercion': Ontario men charged in labour trafficking case at sushi restaurant
Two Ontario men are facing charges in a labour trafficking investigation at a local sushi restaurant. In a news release, Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) says it began investigating in March after receiving a report that three adult men from Mexico were being exploited while employed at the August 8 Sushi Restaurant on North Service Road West in Oakville. Police say the men were brought to Canada and forced to work under poor conditions through 'deception and coercion.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Investigators say the victims lived in cramped, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions and that they were made to feel powerless and dependent. Police also say their rights, including their sexual integrity, were violated. Search warrants were carried out at the restaurant and two homes in Oakville and several items were seized. Police say additional victims have since come forward. Story continues below advertisement On June 11, 2025, police arrested two men. A 46-year-old man, the restaurant's owner, has been charged with human trafficking, receiving money from the crime, employing foreign workers without permission, and possessing property obtained through crime. A 27-year-old man, the head chef, is charged with human trafficking and receiving money, as well as sexual assault, withholding ID documents and hiring foreign workers illegally. Both men are being held in custody while they wait for a bail hearing in Milton. Police believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information is asked to call Halton police non-emergency line or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers.
Hamilton Spectator
06-06-2025
- 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 .
