SCHOMBERG SHOOTING

February 15, 2023 · 0 Comments

Investigators with the York Regional Police #1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau are releasing video and seeking suspects and witnesses following a drive-by shooting in the Town of Schomberg.

“On Sunday, February 12, 2023, at approximately 8:40 a.m., police responded to reports of a weapons call after a male was shot on Centre Street between Rebellion Way and Church Street,” say Police. “When officers arrived, they located a 65-year-old male victim who has been transported to hospital with serious gunshot injuries.

“The victim had been walking his dog when a car passed him at a high rate of speed on a quiet residential road. The victim gestured at the vehicle. The driver then turned around and drove back to the victim. Multiple gunshots were fired from the vehicle and the man was struck several times.”

At least two suspects were in the vehicle, which was a white SUV. They fled the area at a high rate of speed travelling west on Centre Street.

A link to a video showing the suspect vehicle is here: https://youtu.be/1XTcn721yE4

The investigation is ongoing.

Investigators are appealing for witnesses to come forward who may have been in the area at the time of the incident and have not yet spoken to police. Investigators are also seeking any video surveillance from the area or anyone that may have captured dashcam video on the roadways.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the #1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7141, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.

DOOR-TO-DOOR SCAM WARNING

Ontario’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is shining a light on a multi-layered door-to-door sales scam, which leaves victims with poor renovations, liens or a mortgage on their homes.

Despite rules banning door-to-door sales, criminals have not stopped. Those involved in these frauds are persuasive and persistent. They continue to visit the homes of vulnerable individuals and endear themselves, giving the impression they are a friendly helper.

HOW DOES THIS FRAUD UNFOLD?

Fraudsters approach individuals at the door of their home or by phone and use compelling tactics to persuade the homeowner that a new appliance, contract or service is required; something that was never asked for or needed. These have included: air cleaners, air conditioners, air purifiers, duct cleaning, furnaces, water filters, water heaters, water treatment devices or even bundles of these goods and services.

After the service has been completed or device installed, a few things can happen to make a bad situation even worse.

Whether by phone or in person:

The victim is contacted by someone claiming to be from a law firm offering assistance to exit previously signed contracts, remove possible liens and consolidate incurred debts. Victims are told they may be eligible to receive a grant for a significant amount of money if they agree to exit the contract.

If a grant was offered, the victim is contacted by a home renovation company and is persuaded to sign a contract and speak with a finance company on the phone. They are led to believe this is required to comply with the grant, but it is actually the process to have a mortgage approved on their home.

The funds are then deposited into the victim’s bank account, leading the victim to believe they have received the grant, but it is actually funds from the home equity mortgage taken out on their home.

The victim is told not to touch the money, as it must go toward renovations, as well as to the payments they were making for installed equipment.

TIPS TO PROTECT

YOURSELF/YOUR LOVED ONES

Answer your door only if you are expecting an invited guest;

Do not allow unsolicited visitors into your home;

Hang up on unsolicited phone calls;

Never share personal information or copies of any bills or financial statements;

Do not make a decision on the spot;

Do not sign blank documents;

Take the time to understand what you are signing and ask questions;

Do not answer questions on a phone/video call if you are being told the answers by someone else (if someone is telling you to answer “yes”/”no”);

Check regularly on family or others who might be vulnerable to persuasive and persistent individuals;

Talk to the bank about a vulnerable loved one to prevent suspicious withdrawals;

Understand no renovations are free;

Visit Canada.ca to review green grant opportunities;

Ask yourself: why has this person offered to help and how do they know your situation;

Consider checking your credit history online at TransUnion and Equifax;

Look up your property on the Land Registry Ontario website;

Install video cameras around your home or video capturing doorbells.

RED FLAGS

The person visiting you says you have won a class-action lawsuit regarding the installation of your equipment and the money can only be used towards renovations to your home;

You are told your home is now a “green home” after the installation of some equipment and therefore you qualify for a grant. A condition of the grant is that you can only use the money to do renovations or add more equipment;

A financial company approaches you, unsolicited, indicating they can help you get out of payments or to consolidate your debt;

If you are told renovations are free;

If you do not have input on the renovations a company does or what materials they use

If you are pressured to have renovations started right away;

Renovations in these frauds have included: flooring, painting, smart thermostats, vanities, sinks, toilets, showers, kitchens cabinets and insulation. They are often poor quality and are left unfinished.

If you believe you have become a victim of fraud, contact your local police service and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 (toll-free) or report online on the Fraud Reporting System (FRS). You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or report the incident online at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.