Durham Regional Police have arrested a 21-year-old Vaughan man after he allegedly attempted to use fraudulent payment methods to purchase a large quantity of baby formula and feminine hygiene products at a Whitby grocery store. Officers seized more than $5,700 worth of items, along with a replica handgun, from his vehicle.
Incident at Real Canadian Superstore
Police responded to a fraud call at the Real Canadian Superstore at 200 Taunton Rd. W. in Whitby on Tuesday around 10:20 p.m. Loss prevention staff reported that a male suspect was attempting to use fraudulent payment methods to buy baby formula, feminine hygiene products, and other goods. According to police, the suspect had also tried to fraudulently purchase the same items at the Real Canadian Superstore in Ajax earlier that day.
Officers arrived and took the suspect into custody. His vehicle, found in the parking lot with two different licence plates, was searched. Inside, police allegedly uncovered more than $5,700 worth of baby formula and hygiene products, along with a replica handgun.
Charges and Investigation
Aoqi Xu, 21, of Vaughan, has been charged with fraud over $5,000, unauthorized use of credit card data, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. He is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
Detective Constable Kane of the Durham Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact him at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5371. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
Richmond Hill Man Charged with Voyeurism
In a separate incident, York Regional Police have charged a 30-year-old Richmond Hill man with voyeurism and criminal harassment. On Thursday, officers were notified that a man entered a store at a shopping centre near Yonge St. and Carville Rd. Loss prevention staff recognized him due to previous allegations that he had been filming customers without their knowledge.
Police allege the man followed two women while holding a cellphone and was seen bending down behind one of them, appearing to film underneath her skirt. Officers arrived shortly afterward and took him into custody. Nicholas Rossinki of Richmond Hill has been charged. Investigators have released his photo, believing there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7241 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Hate-Motivated Assaults in Vaughan
York Regional Police are seeking the public's help in identifying a suspect in two alleged hate-motivated assaults in Vaughan. According to police, on June 9 at around 8:45 p.m., officers responded to the area of Major Mackenzie Dr. W. and Amusement Dr. Investigators allege the suspect approached the victim, made a racial comment, assaulted them, and fled on foot. The same suspect allegedly approached another victim on June 11 at around 2:50 p.m. in the area of Weston Rd. and Starling Blvd., assaulted them, made a racial comment, and fled. Both victims suffered minor injuries and are believed to have been targeted because of their country of origin.
The suspect is described as a South Asian man, approximately six feet tall, with shoulder-length black hair and a moustache with a soul patch. Investigators have released images and ask anyone who recognizes him or has information to contact the York Regional Police Hate Crime Prevention Unit at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 6552 or email hatecrime@yrp.ca. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers.
Elderly Man Charged in North York Apartment Fire
Toronto police have charged a 62-year-old man with no fixed address in connection with an early Thursday morning fire at a seniors' housing apartment. At around 1:52 a.m., officers responded to a fire in the Victoria Park Ave. and Eglinton Ave. E. area. Police allege the accused started a fire on the ninth floor of a residential building before fleeing. Residents were evacuated, and two women were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Herbert Ward has been charged with arson causing fire or explosion and threatening the safety of another person, as well as three counts of disobeying a lawful court order. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
Other Assault Investigations
Toronto police are also asking for the public's help in identifying a suspect in an assault on May 8 at around 7:30 p.m. at an establishment in the Wilson Ave. and Jane St. area. The suspect allegedly assaulted the victim, who suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect is described as six feet tall with a medium build. Police have released an image and ask anyone with information to contact 416-808-3100 or Crime Stoppers.
Additionally, police are seeking a suspect in an alleged unprovoked assault at the Eaton Centre on June 13 at around 11:45 a.m. A female victim was assaulted without provocation, and the suspect left the area. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect is described as having a heavy build and short hair. Images have been released. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers.
