ARRESTS MADE IN FRAUD INVESTIGATION

Members of Ontario's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) have arrested two more individuals following a criminal investigation linked to a door-to-door sales fraud which victimized over 200 people across Ontario.

“In this fraud scheme, salespeople attended the homes of older adults and vulnerable people to initiate frauds where victims unknowingly entered into home service and/or renovation agreements at exorbitant prices,” say Police. “Many victims believed they were getting services/installations and renovations for free through government grants or rebates. 

“Organizers of this fraud then used the fake agreements to register Notice of Security Interest's (NOSIs) against victims' homes without their knowledge. Later, these NOSIs were paid off to the benefit of the organizers using fraudulent, high-interest mortgages against the victims' homes. In many cases, this fraud left the victims in financial peril; and in some cases, forced the victims to sell their homes.”

As a result of the investigation, police charged two individuals under the Criminal Code.

Austin Acheson, 29, of Woodbridge, has been charged with:

Fraud Over $5000 - two counts

Danielle Harrison, 39, of Mississauga, has been charged with:

Fraud Over $5000 - three counts;

Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.

The accused were arrested on October 15 and 17, 2024 and were subsequently released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto in November.

The charges have not been proven.

Investigators are asking anyone with additional information regarding this fraud to call the dedicated tip line at 1 (833) 941-5865 or email OPP.Nettle@opp.ca.

Anyone who suspects they have been the victim of any other fraud is urged to contact their local police or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- 8477 (TIPS) or online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca. You should also report to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or through their online reporting system. For resources on scams and fraud, visit antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca.

DRIVER ALLEGED TO HAVE HIT MOTHER & CHILD CHARGED

Members of the Caledon OPP have charged a driver involved in a collision with dangerous operation.

“On October 22, 2024, just before 7:00 p.m., officers responded to a collision at Kennedy Road and Dougall Avenue in the community of Southfields Village in the Town of Caledon,” say Police. “The incident involved a parent and young child that were hit by a vehicle. Both were transported to hospital with injuries that are not life threatening or life altering in nature.”

As a result of the investigation, Sehajpreet Singh, 21, of Caledon, was charged with:

Dangerous Operation

The accused is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Orangeville on November 21, 2024, to answer to the charge.

The charge has not been proven.

For anyone who witnessed the collision or have dashcam footage is asked to call 1-888-310-1122. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.peelcrimestoppers.ca. When you contact Crime Stoppers, you stay anonymous, and you never have to testify.

If you are affected by this incident or witnessed the collision and wish to speak to victim services, Caledon/Dufferin Victim Services can be reached at 905-951-3838.

COLLISION INVESTIGATION

Members of the Caledon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have issued a three-day licence suspension to a driver involved in a collision.

“On October 22, 2024, shortly before 11:00 p.m., Caledon OPP responded to a two-vehicle collision on Mount Pleasant Road, near Caledon King Townline, in the Town of Caledon. No injuries were reported,” say Police.

“As a result of the investigation, officers charged a 61-year-old of Bolton with Careless Driving. Additionally, the driver was issued a three-day licence suspended for registering an “warn” on an Approved Screening Device (ASD).

“A warn range on an ASD is having a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) between 0.05-0.079. First time penalties are an immediate 3-day licence suspension and $250 fine. Second time penalties are an immediate 7-day licence suspension, $350 fine and an education or treatment program. Third time penalties are an immediate 30-day licence suspension, $450 fine, an education or treatment program, and a six-month ignition interlock condition.

“The OPP remains committed to taking alcohol/drug-impaired drivers off our roads through enforcement and public education. Motorists are reminded that no amount of alcohol or drugs in your system is safe when driving. If you plan on drinking or consuming drugs, plan to not drive. Instead, arrange for a designated driver, take a taxi or public transit, or come up with another plan that takes impaired driving out of the picture. If you suspect that someone is driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs, it is important to call 9-1-1 to report it.”

STOLEN VEHICLE RECOVERED

Officers from the Caledon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have recovered a stolen vehicle from an alert by the police vehicle's Automated Licence Plate Recognition (ALPR) system.

“On October 28, 2024, shortly before 11:00 p.m., an officer was conducting a proactive patrol on Kennedy Road, in the community of Southfields Village,” say Police. “At that time, an alert was received by the ALPR system advising the officer of a stolen vehicle. The stolen vehicle was later located at a residence on Valleyscape Trail. The investigation led to two individuals being arrested.

“Later that same day, the Caledon Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) executed a search warrant at a residence and collected evidence of the offence.”

As a result, Samardeep Brar, 27, of no fixed address, was charged with:

Possessing automotive master key;

Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000;

Fail to comply with probation order - two counts.

Navreen Dhaliwal, 31, of Brant County, was also charged with:

Possessing automotive master key;

Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000.

Both accused were held for a Bail Hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Orangeville.

The charges have not been proven.

Members of the Caledon OPP are committed to public safety, delivering proactive and innovative policing in partnership with our communities. Officers value your contribution to building safe communities.

If you observe a suspicious vehicle or person in your neighbourhood, report it to police by calling 911. If possible, note of the make, model, colour, driver/occupant descriptors, and the plate number. You can also provide information anonymously by contacting Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.peelcrimestoppers.ca