Recently three separate swarmings in Toronto led to police asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects. In the swarmings, victims reported that they were surrounded by a number of people who threatened and robbed them. In one swarming four men wearing disguises approached a 19-year-old male. Two of the criminals grabbed the victim’s arms while the other two stole his backpack, glasses and other items from his pockets. In another case, a 21-year-old man was reportedly approached by two men wearing disguises and a third holding a handgun. They threatened him and forced him to give them his cell phone and his cash. In a third reported swarming, a 22-year-old male was surrounded by three men. They shoved and kicked him before leaving the scene with his cell phone.
How to Protect Your Personal Property
Several other, unrelated street robberies took place in Toronto recently. In one case, a 17-year-old male was arrested after he robbed several victims. The accused had approach victims with a weapon and demanded that they hand over their valuables.Cellular phones, personal music players, portable computers as well as purses, wallets and handbags are frequently targeted by thieves. These items are small enough that they can be carried easily, but they also are usually high in value. It is important that you protect yourself from thieves and criminals while you are outside in public.
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Armed Bank Robbery in Toronto
Toronto Police are looking for two armed men who robbed a bank in the Etobicoke area of the city. The men were both wearing hoods and masks when they entered the Bank of Montreal branch at the corner of Lake Shore Boulevard and Parklawn Road. One of the men fired a shot into the air and ordered customers to the floor. He then guarded the door while the other man demanded money from the bank’s tellers.“The individual with the handgun remained near the door, keeping watch over the customers while pointing the firearm at the tellers. The other individual produced a bag and went to two tellers, demanding cash,” said Staff Insp. Mike Earl at a March 22nd press conference. The robbery took place on February 23rd.
Police recently released security camera images in the hopes of identifying the suspects.
“These individuals are urban terrorists. They need to be taken off the streets before another robbery like this occurs,” added Earl.
Security cameras are incredibly important tools for law enforcement officials. They provide important video evidence that can be used to identify criminals, determine exactly what occurred at a crime scene and to apprehend criminals after a crime occurs. In many cases, security footage is one of the first things that police ask for when they arrive at a crime scene.
SafeTech has been protecting people and personal property for more than 20 years. For more information on monitored surveillance cameras or to speak with one of our loss prevention experts about how security cameras can help protect your personal property such as home or business, please contact us today or visit our security cameras page for more detailed information.
Quick Summer Safety Tips
The warm weather is on its way and you may be looking forward to carefree summer days and long summer, warm nights spent outdoors. However, it’s important that you don’t neglect security and safety this summer.Gardening is a popular late spring/early summer activity and yard work needs to be done throughout the summer. It is important to take precautions when you are working on your garden or lawn. Check your lawn for any debris such as rocks, nails or broken glass. These items can seriously hurt you if they step on them. They can also get caught in lawn mowers and in other garden tools causing damage and potential injury. You’ll also want to look over all of your tools and ensure that they are in good working order before you use them. Always wear proper equipment, including proper shoes as well as gloves and safety goggles when necessary.
If you are working outdoors, make sure to keep small children away from your tools and any other dangerous equipment. Put tools away immediately after you are done using them and place them out of your childrens’ reach. You may want to lock them up in a safe place to be sure. You also need to make sure that your children understand where it is safe to play and where it is dangerous. Children should certainly stay away from roads, as well as lakes and streams which can quickly become more dangerous than they initially appear.
It can be tempting to leave your front door or windows wide open during the summer in order to enjoy the warm air and to keep your house cool. However, it’s important to make sure that you always lock your doors and windows when you leave your personal property such as your home. You can install window bars if you’d like to get some fresh air while still protecting your home. Make sure to close your windows and doors even if you are in the backyard. Criminals can break in through a front window and rob your personal property while you are spending time outside. For this reason, only leave windows open when you are nearby and aware of the situation and always lock your door.
Make sure that you wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and that you drink plenty of water while you are outside. Make sure that you reapply sunscreen often. If you have small children, watch out for them as well. Ensure that they are protected and hydrated. In order to repel insects, use insect repellent that contains DEET. Protect yourself and your personal property with SafeTech.
RCMP Arrest Man after String of Robberies & Violence
The RCMP has arrested a man after a series of crimes in Western Canada. Crimes included an armed robbery in Saskatchewan and Manitoba as well as ramming a police officer’s car in Alberta. In that situation, an RCMP officer stopped a white pick-up truck for speeding. The driver of the truck rammed into the officer’s car and drove away. The officer followed the truck. The truck eventually stopped, rammed the car again and drove away. The officer was injured in the attack, but released from hospital shortly afterward. Police say the truck was stolen from a business in Redcliffe, Alberta.The suspect was arrested a few days later in Rocky Mountain House. He was identified as Tyler Leeder, a 26-year-old man from Lethbridge, Alberta.
As Leeder was considered armed and dangerous, Calgary police assisted RCMP officers by sending an armoured vehicle along to apprehend him. RCMP officers cornered Leeder in a local hotel and he was arrested about an hour later. A 17-year-old girl who was apparently traveling with Leeder was also arrested. She had been missing since August 2010 when she apparently ran off with Leeder.
“There was yelling between the guy and the girl saying how much they loved each other and they will see each other soon,” said Matt Forseth who witnessed the arrest.
“He took a big wad of cash and set it on fire and threw it out the door,” added Forseth. “He was just going insane, yelling anything and everything.”
Police believe Leeder was responsible for armed robberies in Wadena and Invermay, Saskatchewan as well as a robbery in Summerset, Manitoba where he robbed a bank of an undisclosed amount of cash. He was also wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for a parole violation.
“The girls had hit the automatic door locks on the front doors so that locked up, but he apparently got his money and ran out the back,” said Veronica Wolski, the village administrator in Invermay describing the robbery of a Royal Bank branch in Invermay.