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Northern Ontario OPP News Digest

EDUCATION CAN KEEP YOU FROM BEING VICTIM OF FRAUD SCAMS - March is Fraud Prevention Month (ORILLIA, ON) – It’s a sad reality that every year thousands of people are victimized and millions of dollars are lost through the many forms of fraud, accordin

EDUCATION CAN KEEP YOU FROM BEING VICTIM OF FRAUD SCAMS - March is Fraud Prevention Month 

(ORILLIA, ON) – It’s a sad reality that every year thousands of people are victimized and millions of dollars are lost through the many forms of fraud, according to members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Anti-Rackets Branch.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC; formerly Phonebusters) reports 56 per cent of all Canadian-based ‘mass marketing fraud’ (MMF) scams in 2013 occurred to victims online via the internet or e-mail, while another 19 per cent occurred by telephone. In all, 11,076 victims of mass marketing fraud lost a total of just under $53-million last year – slightly lower than in 2012. The highest number of victims were from 50 to 70 years of age.

Other trends noted in 2013 by the CAFC include:

·       Ontario consumers were most targeted by MMF operations based on total number of complaints and total reported dollar loss.

·       Money transfer businesses are the top reported payment method used to send funds from Canadian victims.

·       The number of Canadian identity fraud victims has increased, as has the total reported dollar loss.

If you suspect you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, contact your local police service or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at https://www.tipsubmit.com/ .

FRAUD…Recognize itReport itStop it.

“Perpetrators of fraud prey upon many segments of our population, especially the most vulnerable. The impact of their fraudulent activities is staggering. The money taken is used to fuel other illegal activities, further victimizing the unsuspecting victims.”

– Deputy Commissioner Scott TOD, OPP Investigations and Organized Crime

“Awareness and vigilance are the keys to ensure you are not separated from your hard-earned money, your identity or anything of value to criminals. The most important aspect to remember...if it sounds too good to be true, it likely is.”

-- A/Inspector Tom WHITTAKER, OPP Anti-Rackets Branch

 

Crime Stoppers and the Hearst OPP detachment would like your help in solving a home invasion.

On Sunday, March 2nd , 2014, at approximately 8:30 pm, Hearst OPP officers responded to an assault in progress at a residence on Front Street in Hearst.

The police investigation revealed that shortly before police arrival, two unknown males forced their entry into the residence and assaulted a male and female resident with a weapon before fleeing the scene.

Both victims sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries during the attack.

Both suspects speak English while the first suspect is described as being 5’ 7” tall with a medium build  while the other suspect is described as being 6’0 tall with a slim build.

Both male suspects wore black ski masks at the time of the assault.

Your provincial police force would like to locate and arrest the persons responsible for this  criminal act.

Arm your police force with viable information, and they will do just that.

Call Crime Stoppers right now at 705-268-8477 or provide your tip to www.tipsubmit.com .

You can earn a cash reward while remaining completely anonymous.

 

OPP APPREHEND ARMED MALE 

(BLIND RIVER, ON) – On February 27, 2014, officers from the East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detachment received information of a male who may be traveling through the area in a vehicle and was in possession of various prohibited firearms and ammunition.

Officers monitored traffic in the area during their shift then at 4:00 a.m., an officer spotted the suspect vehicle on Highway 17 west of Blind River.  With the assistance of other officers the vehicle was stopped and as a result of their investigation, the lone male occupant was arrested without incident.  Charged is James Benjamin HERBERT, 19, of Dunnsteer British Columbia with the following criminal offences:

- Unauthorized possession of a weapon; - Occupant of a motor vehicle with a prohibited weapon; and with - Unauthorized possession of a firearm

He was held in custody pending bail hearing.

A safer community is only a phone call away.

 

THREE VEHICLE COLLISION

(NORTH BAY, ON) –– On March 4, 2014 at approximately 10:09 pm, members of the North Bay Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were dispatched to a 3  vehicle collision on Highway # 17, Bonfield Township.  The collision involved a transport, a van and a pick-up.

One fatality is confirmed, but no names are being released at this time pending notification of next of kin.

Members of the Technical Traffic Collision Investigations (TTCI) unit attended the scene to assist in the investigation.

The highway had been closed for approximately 7 hours, but is now re-opened.

 

CHARGES LAID IN SNOWMACHINE COLLISION INVESTIGATION

(GORDON TOWNSHIP, ON) – The Manitoulin Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid charges in relation to a continuing investigation into a motorized snow machine collision that occurred in Gordon Township.

On Sunday January 19, 2014 at 9:30 PM Manitoulin OPP was called to a serious personal injury snow machine collision that occurred on the 7th Line, just west of Poplar Road in Gordon Township. Police arrived at the scene and located a male with serious non-life threatening injuries. Manitoulin Ambulance Service attended the scene and transferred the male to hospital. An investigation commenced into the circumstances surrounding the collision.

As a result of this extensive investigation charges have been laid. The following people have been charged with the following offences.

Denis Harrison MCCURDY age 40 of 12214 540 Highway, Gordon Township is charged with Failing to Remain at the Scene of an Accident and Obstruct Police both contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.

Teresa CLARK age 45 of 12221 540 Highway, Gordon Township is charged with Obstruct Police contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.

Both have already appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in Gore Bay.

The investigation is continuing and if anyone has any further information about this collision they are asked to call police at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

 

OPPBOUND 2014 – MILITARY MEMBERS   

(ORILLIA, ON.) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is hosting OPPBound 2014 in the City of Orillia from July 5-7, 2014.  This year’s recruitment initiative will be focussed on women and men who are current or past members of the Canadian Military, Regular or Reserve, and who are interested in exploring a career in policing.

Fifty (50) applicants will be selected to spend 2 ½ days with “Ontario’s Finest” where they will learn about the history and traditions of the OPP.

OPPBound will include presentations and mentoring sessions with key OPP women and men, both uniform and civilian, who will share their experiences, answer questions and describe their exciting careers. Candidates will also have the opportunity to live the life of an OPP recruit, learn about the recruitment process and participate in practical exercises and physical training.

“The OPP is now a partner agency with Canada Company and the Military Employment Transition Program,” said Inspector Dave Quigley, Manager, Career Development Bureau. “The OPP benefits from hiring former military members as many of the qualities that make a good soldier are qualities that make a great, professional police officer.”

Women and men who are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity may complete an on-line application form located at www.opp.ca.  The application deadline is April 11, 2014 at 11:59pm.

For more information, please call 1-877-OPP-HIRE (1-877-677-4473) or email [email protected] .