Durham Regional Police Service
605 Rossland Rd. E. P.O. Box 911 L1N 0B8 Oshawa, ON, Canada

Today marks #TransDayOfRemembrance . We honor and remember all those who have lost their lives due to transphobic violence. We continue to work with our communities to work towards a world free of transphobia. D/Chief Bertrim and Sgt Samuels raised the flag today at our Regional Headquarters.

Suspect(s) Wanted after Two Arsons in Whitby Police are investigating two separate fires at the same construction site in Whitby this month. On Tuesday, November 24, 2020, during the early morning hours, members of Central West Division and Whitby Fire and Emergency Services were called to St. Marguerite D’Youville Catholic School on Michael Boulevard in Whitby for an active fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and contained by responding firefighters. The school was u...nder construction and unoccupied at the time of the incident. The Ontario Fire Marshall's Office attended the scene and determined that the cause of the fire was arson. The damage sustained to the building is estimated at over $1,000,000. Investigators believe that the fire is related to a similar incident that occurred on November 11, 2020 in a different part of the building at the same location. Investigators are attempting to identify the suspect(s) responsible for both incidents. Police are requesting anyone who resides in the area to check for video surveillance that they may have for any suspicious activity in relation to these incidents. Police believe that both incidents occurred during the early morning hours. Anyone with information in relation to this investigation is asked to contact D/Cst. Reeves of the Central West Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-579-1520 x 1835. Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward. -30-

Toronto Man Charged with Human Trafficking A Toronto man has been charged with human trafficking offences and investigators are attempting to confirm there are no other victims. On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, members of the DRPS Human Trafficking Unit were conducting a proactive initiative and located a 19-year-old female victim being forced to work in the sex trade and all of her money was being taken. The victim had met the accused on a dating app. She was brought to vario...us hotels in Ontario. Investigators located the suspect on scene; however, he fled on foot. On Thursday, November 19, 2020, the male was located and arrested without incident at Toronto Pearson Airport. The accused was attempting to flee to another province with the victim. The accused has ties to Hamilton, Barrie, Toronto, and Peel Region. Sydney BUNKUNA, age 22 of Toronto, is charged with: Trafficking Person Over 18, Material benefit from Trafficking in Person over 18, Procuring-Recruit person to provide sexual services, Procuring-Exercise Control, Obtain Sexual Services for Consideration, Advertising Sexual Services and Material Benefit from Sexual Services. He was held for a bail hearing. A photo of the accused is attached as investigators are attempting to confirm there are no other victims. Anyone with new information about this incident is asked to call D/Cst. Belanger of the Human Trafficking Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 3719. Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward. -30-

UPDATE #3 - Police Looking for Suspect(s) after Male Shot in Ajax Nearly two years ago, in November of 2018, police commenced an investigation into a shooting that occurred in Ajax. Investigators continue to look for information to assist them in identifying the suspect(s). On Sunday, November 25, 2018 at 9:10 p.m., the 39-year-old male victim was sitting in his vehicle on Hibbard Drive in Ajax when an unknown dark-coloured mid-sized SUV drove by several times and fired mult...iple rounds at the parked vehicle. The 39-year-old male was struck several times and rushed to hospital in critical condition. He continues to recover from his injuries. A video of the suspect vehicle was later released and can be viewed (here). The information previously released by the investigative team is: - 14 bullets struck the parked vehicle, a 2007 Black Hyundai SUV - Investigation has confirmed this was a case of mistaken identity - The victim required 10 surgeries and remained in hospital for two months as part of his recovery - Suspect vehicle sped southbound on Hibbard Drive toward Fletcher Avenue away from the scene. Anyone with new information about the incident is asked to contact D/Cst. Conforti (ext. 2541) or Det. Hawkes (ext. 2521) of the West Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520. Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward. -30- Video - shorturl.at/wGLO0 UPDATE #2 SENT JANUARY 8, 2020 Police Looking for Suspect(s) after Male Shot in Ajax

Commercial Robbery at Gas Station in Oshawa November 24, 2020: Investigators arrested a teen just minutes after an armed gas station robbery in Oshawa Saturday morning. On Saturday, November 21, 2020 at approximately 12:45 a.m., members of Central East Division were called to the Esso gas station on Park Road South in Oshawa for an armed robbery. The lone male suspect entered the store and brandished a knife and made a demand for cash. The victim complied and the suspect fl...ed with cash. The suspect was quickly located by uniform officers and arrested. The clerk was not physically harmed during the incident. The 17-year-old Oshawa teen was charged with: Robbery; Disguise with Intent and Weapons Dangerous. He was held for a bail hearing. Anyone with information about this robbery is asked to contact the DRPS Robbery Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5355. Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

Our thoughts are with the family and colleagues of OPP Cst Marc Hovingh. The 28-year veteran of the OPP died from injuries sustained while bravely serving in the line of duty. #HeroesInLife

Whitby Male Charged with Child Luring In early October 2020, an investigation into the luring of a child under 18 was initiated and a joint investigation between members of the DRPS Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit and the Internet Child Exploitation Unit commenced. As a result, Stephen BALL, age 61, of Whitby was arrested and charged with Possession of Child Pornography, Access Child Pornography and Luring a Child. He was held for a bail hearing and later released. ... Investigators have received information that BALL has previously been in a position of trust or authority as a counsellor and/or social worker and would like to ensure there are no other victims. A photo is attached or can be viewed at www.drps.ca under Newsroom. . Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact Det. Connolly of the Major Crime Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5339 Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward. -30-

Along with everyone else, fraudsters are gearing up for the holiday shopping season. During #InternationalFraudAwareness week take a moment to remind your staff about counterfeit cash & fraudulent gift and credit cards. Also check gift card packaging for signs of tampering.

Shots Fired at Vehicle in Driveway November 24, 2020: West Division is investigating after multiple shots were fired at an unoccupied vehicle parked in the driveway of a south Ajax home. No injuries were reported. On Tuesday, November 24, 2020, at approximately 12:09 a.m., West Division officers were dispatched to a residence on Bolland Crescent in south Ajax regarding multiple gunshots being heard. Officers arrived and discovered that an unoccupied white Ford Fusion, parked... in the driveway of a residence, had been struck with multiple bullets. Multiple shell casings were located at the scene. The people inside the residence were not injured. A review of security footage from the area showed the gunshots came from inside a dark-coloured SUV-style vehicle, which was driving westbound on Bolland at approximately 12:04 a.m. Anyone with new information about this investigation is asked to contact A/Det. Mackinnon of the West Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2529. Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

DRPS Food and Toy Drive Kicks-Off in Whitby The 32nd Annual DRPS Food and Toy Drive was officially launched Monday, with a modified kick-off at the Kids' Safety Village in Whitby. Members of DRPS joined this year's volunteers and sponsors in committing to making this "the best year ever" for the Food and Toy Drive. While the pandemic has brought many restrictions and limitations, it has also brought a greater need for assistance in our communities.... DRPS is encouraging community members to try and attend one of several outdoor Cram-A-Cruiser events taking place across the region to drop off food and toys this year, in an effort to limit entry into various Police /Fire locations. Each event will run from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and a list of dates and locations is below. November 28 -Costco Oshawa December 5 -Costco Oshawa December 5 -Bargain Shop-Downtown Oshawa December 12 -Great Canadian Superstores -Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and Bowmanville December 13 -No Frills -Oshawa North December 20 -Canadian Tire Stores-Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa and Bowmanville Donations can also be made at the front vestibules any of our DRPS divisions, with the exception of Regional Headquarters which is still closed to the public. They can also be dropped off at the following fire halls and local businesses: Clarington Fire Headquarters - 2430 Hwy#2, Bowmanville-ONLY Oshawa Fire Headquarters - 199 Adelaide Ave, W, Oshawa-ONLY All Whitby Fire Halls All Ajax Fire Halls Police Credit Union We ask that members of the public ensure they wear a mask when entering any of these locations to drop off a donation and if possible to disinfect the item(s) before donating. Please do not attend/enter if youre feeling ill or have come in contact with someone who is ill or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. We would also like to thank the many local businesses and fire halls that set up donation boxes or assist with Cram-A-Cruiser events for us every year. Thank you to the following dealerships and sponsors that help make this great event possible: - Scotia Bank -Ontario Motor Sales - Gus Brown Motors GMC and Buick - Fraser Ford and Fraser Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep - Marigold Ford and Lincoln -Durham Kia -Mercedes Benz of Durham -Menzies Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep -Swish Quality Cleaning products -Cardinal Boxes -McDonalds Restaurants of Oshawa and Clarington -Durham Transit -Williams Communication -McDonalds Family Restaurants (Whitby,Oshawa,Clarington) -Kids' Safety Village of Durham Region -Pet Smart -Sobey's Oshawa -Fresco Bowmanville - DRPS Auxiliary Members Thank you everyone for supporting the 32nd Annual DRPS Food and Toy Drive and for helping us assist those in need during this holiday season.

Drug Investigation Results in Two Persons Charged An investigation into street level drugs in Ajax has led to two arrests, a search warrant resulted in the seizure of over $43,000 in drugs and cash. Investigators from the West Division Community Response Unit began an investigation, focusing on street-level drug transactions in Ajax. The investigation lead to the identification of an address in Ajax. On Saturday, November 21, 2020, a search warrant was executed on Clark Road... in Ajax. Two people are facing charges and officers seized about $35,000 in crack cocaine, cocaine, fentanyl and approximately $ 8,000 in Canadian currency. A 26-year-old male and a 29-year-old female, both of Ajax are charged with: Possession of a Schedule I Substance for the Purpose of Trafficking x3. PALNEAU was also charged with Fail to Comply with Recognizance. They were both held for bail hearings. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Cst. Elliott at the West Division Community Response Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 3965. Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward. Names are published on our website - https://bit.ly/33ctz8V -30-