Montreal police

Safe exchange zones in Kirkland and DDO are vital resources

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

If you’ve ever tried to sell a laptop on Facebook Marketplace or pick up a used bike from a stranger in the West Island, you know the anxiety that comes before the meetup: What if this goes wrong? Montreal police (SPVM) reports show these worries aren’t unfounded as officers in the West Island have responded to a growing number of calls about scams, thefts, and even assaults tied to in-person marketplace transactions over the past year. What starts as a simple buy-and-sell can quickly turn into a police file if the wrong person shows up.

That’s what makes the safe-exchange zones at SPVM stations in Kirkland and Dollard-des-Ormeaux such an easy choice. Instead of rolling the dice with a parking lot or someone’s front porch, you can meet under 24-hour video surveillance, right outside the station doors. There’s no need to worry about being set up or scammed when you’ve got real security watching over the exchange.

And it’s not just buyers who are at risk. Sellers often feel pressured to hand out their home address or invite strangers onto their property — opening the door, sometimes literally, to theft or worse. Meeting at a safe-exchange zone takes that risk off the table. You don’t have to worry about who’s showing up at your house, or what they might be scoping out while they’re there.

The risks aren’t just hypothetical. One West Islander told The Suburban about a deal gone wrong in a parking lot: “He even had a fake receipt,” he recalled. “I went into my car to put the phone on the charger and as soon as the home screen opened up I could tell it was a fake, but the guy was already gone and I was out $1,200.” He didn’t even bother calling police as he knew the thief was already gone in the wind.

It’s the kind of scenario that’s a lot less likely at one of the West Island’s SPVM safe-exchange zones. If the transaction had happened at the Kirkland or DDO police station, the buyer could have walked right inside for help. With cameras rolling and officers on site, there’s a real chance the scammer would have been caught before he had a chance to disappear.

The numbers back it up. According to a 2023 Statistics Canada report, about one in five Canadians who bought or sold something online in the previous year worried about their personal safety during the exchange. And while most transactions are uneventful, the risks jump considerably when large sums of cash or high-value goods are involved. Even a quick handoff can go sideways with fake bills, no-shows, or worse.

Meeting at a safe-exchange zone isn’t just about peace of mind, either. It’s a way to send a clear signal: this deal is above board. Most people with bad intentions will back out the moment you suggest meeting at a police station. Regular folks get a safety net, and anyone trying to pull a fast one moves on.

For West Islanders, these designated SPVM zones at Kirkland and DDO stations are a resource — use them. Marketplace trades shouldn’t feel risky, and with these options, they don’t have to. n

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Police increase presence to combat rise in Snowdon break-ins

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Montreal Police have confirmed to The Suburban that there has been a marked rise in commercial break-ins in the Côte-des-Neiges area in the past several weeks. Store owners along Victoria, as well as parts of Queen Mary near Décarie, have reported being burgled since early June.

Police can’t say why there has been an increase, but they do want to reassure area merchants and residents that they are investigating, and increasing police presence in the area. “We are putting all efforts” into investigating the crimes, says Commandant Stéphane Rodrigue of SPVM Station 26, “to identify and arrest the perpetrators and put an end to these break-ins.”

Rodrigue tells The Suburban that the break-ins had all occurred during the night, after the stores were closed. He highlighted that fact in a bid to reassure area merchants of their safety, pointing out that there would have been no one in the establishments at the time the crimes were committed.

Several of the victims report similar stories – that the perpetrators had thrown a large rock through the front door or window of the establishments, breaking the glass, and entering.

Fiesta Filipino is one of several establishments that were broken into last week on Victoria Avenue. Owner Eduardo Vasquez tells The Suburban that thieves threw a rock through the glass of the front door, ran in, grabbed the cash register, and ran out. Usually, he says, they keep the cash drawer open as a deterrent, to show thieves that there is little cash to steal. But the speculation is that the thieves accidentally closed the drawer, and so stole the whole register. Vasquez says that according to security camera footage, the robbery took only a few seconds. Nothing else was stolen. And the only damage was the front door.

Vasquez says it’s scary that someone would do this. “We work so hard here. We are landed immigrants here. We are civilized people in this area.”

Ensemble Montreal borough councillors Stephanie Valenzuela (Darlington) and Sonny Moroz (Snowdon) had approached police with the concerns of their constituents who had reported break-ins. Rodrigue says he assured Valenzuela and Moroz that police presence would be increased in the area. There will be more officers on foot meeting and talking with merchants to answer their concerns, and to help them with prevention strategies, like making sure to install alarm systems and security cameras, and trying not to leave cash in the till overnight.

Officers from Station 26 also spoke with area merchants at a meeting organized with Rodrigue and with Valenzuela and Moroz.

Rodrigue acknowledges that there have been safety concerns among area residents going back to early spring. He says there had been a rise in what he refers to in French as “incivilités” around the area of the Côte-Sainte-Catherine metro station. By that he means people loitering, consuming cannabis, spray-painting graffiti. But there had been no reports of any crimes against the person, like muggings. Rodrigue says police had arrested several drug dealers in the area at the time, which, did lead to making the area safer. n

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Multi-force police sweep arrests 11 alleged major crime figures

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal police (SPVM), working in tandem with Quebec Provincial Police (SQ), carried out a sweeping operation last Thursday that led to the arrest of 11 men believed to be central figures in Quebec’s criminal networks.

The result of a three-year investigation, the coordinated action dubbed Project Alliance targeted individuals connected to the Mafia, the Hells Angels, and criminal street gangs and focused on solving a series of murders and attempted murders that occurred between 2011 and 2021.

The raids unfolded across Montreal, Laval, Blainville, Shefford, Saint-Lazare, Repentigny, Quebec City, and Rosemère. Nearly 150 officers participated in the operation. Among those in custody are alleged high-ranking members of Montreal’s organized crime scene. Notably, Leonardo Rizzuto, 56, the son of former crime boss Vito Rizzuto, was apprehended. Another alleged leader, Stefano Sollecito, 57, was also arrested. The list of suspects includes Davide Barberio, 45, Michel Cliche, 54, Pietro D’Adamo, 54, Patrick Gilbert, 51, Daniele Guarna, 45, Richard Larivière, 57, Darius Perry, 27, Vito Salvaggio, 50, and Nicola Spagnolo, 50.

Five additional suspects remain wanted by police: Sacha Krolik, 56; Pierry Philogène, 38; Mario Sollecito, 54; Gianpietro Tiberio, 52; and Jean-Ismel Zéphir, 46. Authorities are urging anyone with information about their whereabouts to come forward.

Three of those arrested were taken into custody while already incarcerated on unrelated matters. All 11 suspects were detained on outstanding warrants, and police allege they played various roles-from masterminds to direct participants and collaborators-in a string of murders and attempted murders linked to organized crime over the past decade.

According to investigators, the suspects are connected not only to the traditional Mafia, but also to the Hells Angels and criminalized street gangs from other communities. Project Alliance was designed to untangle the web of alliances and rivalries that developed after the death of Vito Rizzuto and to address the instability that followed. No new search warrants were executed during the operation, as police had already secured key evidence in earlier phases of the investigation.

Police officials believe this operation will further destabilize criminal networks that have grown under various fractions in the absence of the unifying force that Vito Rizzuto once provided. The impact is expected to be significant, as the individuals arrested are alleged to have orchestrated or participated in some of the most serious violent crimes that occurred in Quebec in recent years.

For families of victims, the arrests may offer long-awaited answers and move several cold cases forward in the justice system. Officials emphasize that, while this is a major step, their work continues as they seek to bring the remaining suspects into custody and prevent further violence. n

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Man found in critical condition in Lachine Canal

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

A 39-year-old man is in hospital with life-threatening injuries following an altercation along the Lachine Canal near Corroyeurs Park.

Montreal police (SPVM) responded to a report of a disturbance just west of the Atwater Tunnel. According to police, a dispute between two men escalated, resulting in one man entering the water. The circumstances surrounding the incident are still under investigation.

First responders arrived within minutes and pulled the man from the canal. Resuscitation efforts were initiated on site before he was transported to hospital in critical condition.

A second man was arrested at the scene. Police established a security perimeter in the area. Officers spoke with witnesses on site to gather information about the sequence of events.

Many bystanders stood along the park’s pathways and watched as emergency crews and police flooded the area. The relationship between the two men and the reasons for the altercation have not been disclosed. No charges have been announced.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the SPVM as the investigation continues. n

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Three arrested in NDG murder

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Dan Laxer
The Suburban

Montreal police have made three arrests in connection with the shooting death of a man in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce last February.

Jean-David Isme, 55, was gunned down last February 2 at the corner of St. Jacques and Beaconsfield. As reported in The Suburban at the time, police said they had received 911 calls around 11:45 that night. The murder occurred on a Sunday night. Police had the area roped off through to the following Monday evening. Residents were initially not allowed out of their homes, or to exit through the back doors of their buildings.

The three men arrested – one of whom is connected with the Blood Family Mafia street gang – are 26-year-old Bryan Moreau-Gignac of Montreal, 22-year-old Dariush Kabirinaeini of Pierrefonds, and 35-year-old Samuel Jordain Cody of Quebec City.

Police say search warrants were issued in Montreal and Laval, and in Quebec City and Baie Comeau.

The three men were arrested last Thursday, April 10, and were charged the next day with first-degree murder. As they were all detained in three different places, they appeared via videoconference before Quebec Court Justice Marie Kettlyne Ruben.

Isme was known to police, with past criminal charges including possession of a loaded weapon and cannabis possession with intent to traffic. He pleaded guilty to both in 2022.

Isme’s death was the city’s third homicide of the year.

He was the uncle of a known gang member, Andrew Luberisse, known as “Ali Baba,” a member of the Profit Boyz. Last December he was found murdered in his cell at the Rivière des Prairies Detention Centre. n

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Suspect arrested in DDO synagogue firebombing

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal Police (SPVM) have arrested a 19-year-old suspect in connection with the December 2024 firebombing of Beth Tikvah Synagogue in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

Mohamed Ilyess Akodad was arrested at his residence in Anjou after a search was executed by the SPVM’s arson squad which led investigators to seize various pieces of evidence.

The recent arrest comes following the December 18 attack, when police responded to a 911 call around 3 a.m. reporting a fire at the synagogue on Westpark Street. The firebomb shattered a glass panel adjacent to the front doors and sparked a fire in the vestibule leading to the inner door. A door was also broken during the incident. Firefighters controlled the blaze, and investigators discovered an incendiary device dubbed a “Molotov cocktail” at the scene. Witnesses reported seeing a suspect flee the area. During the same incident, two windows were shattered at a nearby Jewish community building across the street, Federation CJA.

Akodad appeared at the Montreal courthouse on Wednesday to face charges related to arson, attempted arson, destruction of property, and possession of incendiary materials.

“We are grateful to the police for diligently investigating this case,” says B’nai Brith Canada’s Regional Director for Quebec and Atlantic Canada Henry Topas, who also serves as cantor for Beth Tikvah. “Brazen attacks on our places of worship have left deep scars in Montreal’s Jewish community.”

Federation CJA acknowledged that measures taken by their Community Security Network were “instrumental in not only preventing greater damage but also in providing the tools and resources to law enforcement needed to further their investigation.”

Eta Yudin, CIJA’s Vice-President for Quebec, emphasized the importance of this development: “We have long called for law enforcement and public safety officials to use every possible tool to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the hate, intimidation and violence we see in our streets.”

The December attack marked the second such incident at Beth Tikvah, following a similar firebombing in November 2023. Both attacks involved incendiary devices targeting the building’s entrance and coincided with vandalism at nearby Jewish community facilities. In the November incident, staff and congregants arrived to find their front doors charred from a Molotov cocktail, while Federation CJA’s West Island offices were also targeted with a second Molotov cocktail discovered at its location.

DDO Mayor Alex Bottausci said, “I am thankful that the police have arrested the individual implicated in the fire bombing of Beth Tikvah. Antisemitism, and violence, have no place in our community. This is not our Canada.”

DDO Councillor Tanya Toledano addressed concerns about enforcement of antisemitic crimes, stating, “We need to see enforcement happening. We need to see that the police are not operating with what appears to be their hands tied behind their backs and be able to actually enforce the laws that exist. We’ve seen violence on our streets with very few arrests and certainly none that I know of that have been sticking. It cannot continue like this.”

Beth Tikvah Rabbi Emeritus Mordecai Zeitz also expressed concerns, stating, “Even when they (police) catch the perpetrators, no consequences are applied.”

According to B’nai Brith’s latest Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, Quebec recorded a 215.7 percent increase in antisemitic incidents since 2023. The organization’s Director of Research and Advocacy, Richard Robertson, noted that “Since October 7, 2023, Beth Tikvah has been attacked in repeated, shocking displays of antisemitism.”

Jews remain Canada’s most targeted religious minority, being the victims of almost 60% of hate crimes while making up only some 2% of the population.

Despite the arrest, police say the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact 911, their local police station, or anonymously through Info-Crime Montreal at 514-393-1133 or via the online form at infocrimemontreal.ca. n

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West Island: Police arrest two and seize 27 kilos of cocaine

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal police (SPVM) have uncovered a major cocaine trafficking operation spanning multiple West Island communities, seizing 27 kilograms of cocaine and several firearms.

The Anti-Gang Section of the SPVM executed search warrants across Kirkland, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Beaconsfield, and Lachine. The operation included a seizure of cocaine with a street value exceeding $500,000.

Two men were arrested during the operation. Mohammed Omar Faruque and Fahad Ibne Faruque Ghazi face charges of weapons possession and drug trafficking. Authorities discovered an AR-15 rifle, two pistols, and specialized ammunition during their searches.

The police operation resulted in the seizure of additional contraband including crystal methamphetamine and $120,000 in cash, indicating an extensive drug distribution network operating throughout the West Island.

Faruque, who has previous convictions for fraud and drug trafficking, faces an additional charge of violating a court order. Ghazi has no prior criminal record.

The coordinated raids conducted across multiple West Island municipalities resulted from an investigation by the SPVM’s Anti-Gang Section. Authorities continue to investigate possible connections to other drug trafficking operations in the Greater Montreal Area.

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Montreal Police Seek Greater Diversity in Recruitment Effort

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , ,

Dimitris Ilias
LJI Journalist

The Montreal Police Service (SPVM) has launched a recruitment initiative aimed at increasing diversity within its ranks, a move that could have particular significance for neighborhoods like Parc-Extension, where multicultural representation in law enforcement has long been a subject of discussion.
The provincial program, AEC Diversité policière et profil social, is designed to attract candidates from diverse backgrounds and those with expertise in social sciences. The initiative targets two main groups: individuals from underrepresented communities who hold a college diploma (DEC) or a bachelor’s degree, and graduates in social sciences whose knowledge could contribute to more community-focused policing.
Successful applicants will undergo a 30-week training program in policing techniques, followed by 15 weeks of patrol and law enforcement training at the École nationale de police du Québec (ENPQ). Upon completion, they will be eligible to join the SPVM, which offers more than 150 different career paths within law enforcement.
The effort reflects a broader trend within police forces across Canada to improve relations with ethnically diverse communities by hiring officers who can better understand cultural nuances, language barriers, and social challenges. In neighborhoods such as Parc-Extension, where many residents are immigrants or first-generation Canadians, interactions with police have often been marked by concerns over racial profiling and a lack of representation.
Community advocates have previously called for more officers with backgrounds that reflect the populations they serve, arguing that a more diverse force can improve trust and cooperation between law enforcement and the public. The SPVM has acknowledged these concerns in the past and has introduced various measures aimed at strengthening ties with different communities.
With applications now open, the program presents an opportunity for those interested in law enforcement to step into a career that could help shape the future of policing in Montreal. Whether the initiative will lead to meaningful change in community relations remains to be seen, but the SPVM’s latest recruitment drive signals an acknowledgment of the importance of diversity in policing.

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Four arrested in robbery and attempted murder in Pierrefonds

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal police (SPVM) arrested three suspects for their alleged involvement in robbery and attempted murder that occurred in a park on the north side of Pierrefonds-Roxboro.

The incident took place on October 26 on the shore of the Rivières des Prairies in a public park. The victim, a 43-year-old man, drove an acquaintance to the park. He had previously met up with the 19-year-old woman at the same park after connecting with her through a social media platform.

Moments after arriving at the park for the second time, accompanied by the woman he had recently met, the victim was violently pulled out of his vehicle by three men who allegedly beat him up. At one point during the attack, the victim managed to escape, but was caught by the assailants and immobilized by two of the alleged attackers while one of them allegedly attempted to stab him, inflicting an injury to his upper body.

Despite his injuries, the victim managed to escape a second time. Once he was safe, he called 911 to report the assault. He also reported that the suspects took his cell phone and bank card during the altercation. It was later discovered that they used the stolen card to withdraw $3,000 from the victim’s account.

Evidence collected by the SPVM, as part of its investigation, made it possible for the suspects to be identified quickly. The first suspect that was arrested is a 22-year-old man. He was picked up at the Montreal Courthouse where he was dealing with a separate legal matter which the authorities have not disclosed. 

The second suspect, also a 22-year-old man, was downtown when he was arrested. Due to the level of risk he presented, the SPVM’s Tactical Intervention Group was summoned to proceed to his arrest.

The third suspect was arrested in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough where she was caught by the SPVM team leading the investigation.

Another 24-year-old woman allegedly linked to one of the suspects was also arrested the same day in her apartment in Longueuil, on Montreal’s South Shore. A search conducted at the apartment led to the discovery of an illegal .40-caliber pistol and ammunition.

The four individuals were arraigned at the Montreal courthouse. All will remain detained until the next stage of the legal proceedings.

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Police arrest five in West Island,West End cocaine busts

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal police (SPVM) arrested five suspects on October 2 and 4 as part of two-phase operation aimed at dismantling a drug trafficking network operating mainly in the West End and West Island of Montreal.

Searches were conducted in the boroughs of Ville-Marie and Anjou as well as in the Town of Mount Royal which led to the seizure of 36 kilograms of cocaine, $236,305 in cash and three watches worth $65,000.

Four of the five suspects were apprehended on October 2, 2024 in various locations including Pointe-Claire, downtown Montreal and the Town of Mount Royal. The suspects were aged 29, 31, 36 and 58. The fifth suspect, aged 32 years old, was arrested on October 4, 2024, in Anjou.

All of the five suspects were released following their arraignment pending further legal proceedings. They may face charges of possession and trafficking of narcotics, according to the SPVM.

The investigation and arrests were carried out by the criminal investigation and narcotics division of Montreal west end territories, in close collaboration with several SPVM units and with agents from neighbourhood stations 4, 5, 20, 26 and 46.

As the investigation is still ongoing, any person who may have information concerning the investigation is asked to dial 911 or visit their neighbourhood station. It is also possible to report any information anonymously and confidentially via Info-Crime Montreal at 514 393-1133 or via the reporting form available at infocrimemontreal.ca.

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SPVM School Zone operation results in over 8,500 tickets

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

The Montreal Police Department (SPVM) released the results of its “Back to School 2024” operation, which took place from August 26 to September 20. During these four weeks, SPVM police officers issued no fewer than 8,571 tickets to road users as part of 1,172 enforcement operations set up around the Greater Montreal Area (GMA).

Photo radar surveillance operations in school zones also took place. Some 1,840 infractions were noted during these operations. More than 178 hours of operation were carried out and 43,182 vehicles were captured.

Nine “living radar” operations also took place during this period, with the participation of students from different schools. This type of intervention allows immediate awareness of the dangers of excessive speed in school zones.

The 2024 school year also saw 1,063 prevention activities take place in the 29 neighbourhood police stations (PDQ) in the area. More than 9,000 bookmarks and leaflets were given to road users to raise awareness about safety around schools and sharing the street. Throughout the year, the neighbourhood stations carry out road safety prevention and surveillance operations, in addition to the National Concerted Operations (ONC) with all the police forces in the province. n

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WI – Montreal police search for victims of alleged pedophile

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal Police (SPVM) are searching for more victims of Michaël Michaud. The 41-year old man was arrested on July 3 and is facing multiple charges including sexual assault and possession, distribution and production of child pornography. Several minor victims have come forward with accusations.

The crimes for which he is accused, took place between 2011 and 2023 in the following cities: Montreal, Laval, Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Île-Perrot, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Saint-Clet and Saint-Polycarpe.

“The investigation teams of the SPVM Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Assault sections have strong reasons to believe that Michaël Michaud could have had other victims,” the police force stated.

The investigation revealed that Michaël Michaud had contact with several children over the years. He allegedly made friends with families with young children, offering them babysitting or mentoring services. It was when he was alone with the children that he allegedly committed sexual acts.

Michaël Michaud is Caucasian and speaks French. He stands 5’10” and weighs 223 lbs. He has brown hair, blue eyes and wears glasses.

Anyone who may have been a victim or who knows someone who may have been a victim of Michaël Michaud is asked to go to their local police station, call 514 280-8502 or contact 911 to file a statement. Anyone wishing to provide information anonymously and confidentially can do so by contacting Info-Crime Montréal at 514 393-1133 or by using the reporting form available at: infocrimemontreal.ca

As several victims have been identified, the Serial Crime Investigation Management Structure (GECS) has been deployed. This is a unified command within which Quebec police services work in partnership to identify crimes committed by predators. Coordinated by the Sûreté du Québec, the GECS aims to pool police resources and better protect victims of sexual assault. n

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Police seek suspect in sexual assault in TMR

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Ceausu

Montreal Police Sexual Assault investigators are asking the public to help identify a suspect who may be linked to an incident of indecent acts and sexual touching towards a minor, which occurred last April on a bus in Town of Mount Royal.

On April 11, around 4:45 p.m., on board the 165 Côte-des-Neiges bus, the individual allegedly masturbated in front of the victim before following her off the bus, where he then allegedly committed sexual touching.

The individual is a white English-speaking male, in his twenties. At the time of the incident, he had short hair and a few days of stubble. He was wearing a pale blue hooded jacket with dice patterns on the back and baggy jeans.

The SPVM is releasing a video and images captured by surveillance cameras that could help identify the individual. Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact 911 or their local police station. It is also possible to report the incident anonymously and confidentially to Info-Crime Montréal at 514 393-1133 or online. n

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Gun, ammo seized by police in MoWest

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By Joel Goldenberg
The Suburban

Montreal police last week seized a revolver and ammunition after stopping a vehicle at Avon and Ballantyne in Montreal West, the SPVM announced.

The police said that officers from Station 8 in neighbouring Lachine (Station 9 covers Côte St. Luc, Hampstead, NDG and Montreal West) “seized a fully loaded revolver from a vehicle intercepted in Montreal West.” In addition to the weapon, the police officers also got their hands on a box full of ammunition during the intervention.

“Around 4 a.m., patrol officers intercepted the vehicle as it was driving erratically on Avon Road, near Ballantyne Avenue South. Three men and a woman were on board. Upon checking, officers discovered that two of them were wanted on an arrest warrant.”

The SPVM added that the police intervention “continued and shortly afterward, police officers discovered the handgun and the box containing bullets in the trunk of the vehicle. The weapon was immediately seized and the four occupants of the vehicle were arrested.

“An investigation has been opened and could lead to charges related to the possession of an illegal firearm.”

The SPVM is calling for the “collaboration of citizens is essential to combat gun violence. Anyone with information about illegal firearms can contact their neighbourhood police station to report it. Information can also be transmitted anonymously and confidentially by contacting Info-Crime Montréal at 514 393-1133 or by visiting infocrimemontreal.ca. In case of emergency, dial 9-1-1.” n

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West Island school zones on police radar

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal Police (SPVM) and the Quebec Provincial Police (SQ) forces are calling for vigilance on the road in school zones as we enter the back to school period this fall.

The 2023 “back to school” operation, led by the SPVM, which ran from August 28 to September 22 last year, resulted in 6,246 tickets issued to road users in and around school zones while photo radar surveillance operations, also in school zones, recorded 1,675 infractions.

Lyne, a crosswalk volunteer in the off-island community of Ile-Perrot told The Suburban that despite the heavy police presence at the start of each school year, along with an abundance of speed signs, many drivers and pedestrians ignore traffic regulations. “It’s very disappointing and difficult for me to comprehend why people don’t understand the importance of these regulations,” she explained while speaking in French. “Many of those I see rushing or disregarding the signage are parents who are dropping their kids off at school or daycare.”

SPVM spokesperson Antony Dorelas confirmed to The Suburban that this year’s operations have already begun. “We don’t have the exact statistics at this time as the operation is currently underway. Our hope is that previous operations have sensitized the community and we will see a drop in last year’s numbers of traffic violations.”

In a public statement issued on August 22, the SQ wrote “The presence of school buses, pedestrians, cyclists and crossing guards will inevitably increase (the amount of) traffic on the road network. For prevention purposes, from August 26 to September 6, SQ police officers will intensify their interventions around schools. Road users are urged to be extra careful to ensure a safe return to school for all.”

The Suburban observed over twenty-five speeding infractions in less than fifteen-minutes last Monday morning on a city-installed roadside speedometer across the road from a daycare located between two schools in Ile-Perrot. n

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Montreal police nab six suspects in airport car theft ring

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal police (SPVM) arrested six suspects last week in connection with a car theft ring following an investigation that was launched last May after officers recovered 19 motor vehicles that were reported stolen. The vehicles were returned to their owners once identified.

The investigation began with information related to a rise in vehicle thefts at Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Airport in Dorval. The network was also active in multiple sectors of the Greater Montreal Area (GMA). The suspects allegedly took charge of all stages of the process, from theft to export. The targeted vehicles were mainly Toyota, Lexus and Jeep models. The suspects allegedly performed dangerous manoeuvres to protect their stolen merchandise, which at times put civilians and police officers at risk. Some thirty vehicles were stolen throughout the three-month investigation.

The arrests took place in Montreal, Brossard and Longueuil with the collaboration of some fifty officers.

The six suspects apprehended are all men in their early twenties. Two of them were already detained in connection with charges in other cases. The other four were arraigned at the Montreal courthouse last Thursday. In total, 176 charges were filed against the members of the group. In addition to several breaches of court-ordered conditions, charges include theft of a motor vehicle, conspiracy, trafficking of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, possession of a master key, recycling of proceeds of a crime, driving without a license and reckless driving.

The various operations carried out by the SPVM in cracking down on car theft are producing concrete results. Since the start of 2024, a 30% drop in vehicle thefts was noted in the GMA. For the same period from January to July in 2023, 6,914 vehicles were reported stolen. This figure is 4,917 for 2024. Over 500 arrests in connection to vehicle theft were made in 2023 and the number continues to climb in 2024. n

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Two cars torched in Dorval parking lot

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Two vehicles parked in a residential lot in Dorval were a total loss following a fire last week that Montreal Police (SPVM) are investigating as arson.

Firefighters quickly put out the flames spitting from an SUV and a van parked side by side in the parking lot on the property of a private residence on Joubert Avenue, near Lakeshore Road. Both vehicles were engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The immediate priority was to avoid the spread of the flames to the residence and neighbouring residences, which was done successfully.

Firefighters summoned police to investigate. No accelerants were found at the scene. Police officers taped off the driveway and investigators from the SPVM arson unit examined the site and the vehicles were towed to undergo further examination in order to better determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

No arrests in connection with this incident have been made to date. n

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Pierrefonds car thief leaves baby on sidewalk

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal Police are searching for a suspect who is assumed by authorities to have accidentally made off with a baby when he stole a vehicle in a commercial parking lot in Pierrefonds.

The vehicle was left running with the keys in the ignition in a daycare parking lot on Alexander Street. The mother had left the infant in the car with the key in the ignition in order to allow for the air conditioning to run, while she brought her other child into the daycare.

When the thief discovered the seven-month old baby snuggled in the backseat, shortly after he took off with the car, he stopped and left the infant on the sidewalk in its car seat on the corner of Alexander Street and Gouin Boulevard and then sped off again in the stolen vehicle.

A 911 call was made at 8:15 a.m. reporting the incident. The infant was quickly reunited with its mother, who was in a state of shock, according to police.

At 8:40 p.m., the same vehicle crashed into a cement roadblock in Montreal’s Villeray district on the corner of St-Urbain and Crémazie. The suspect fled the scene of the collision on foot and has not been located by police to date.

The mother of the baby is not facing charges despite the fact it is illegal to leave a child under the age of seven unattended in a car. “Unlike a criminal act that leaves no margin, in the road safety code it is to the discretion of the police officers to issue a ticket or not. In this case, the officers determined that the mother had suffered enough hardship,” SPVM spokesperson Veronique Dubuc told The Suburban. n

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West End sex offender wanted for breach of conditions

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , ,

By Joel Ceausu
The Suburban

The Montreal Police Service Sexual Assault Section is asking for the public’s help in locating 36-year-old Jonathan Inglis. He was declared a long-term offender after committing crimes of a sexual nature and is currently the subject of an arrest warrant for violating several conditions.

Investigators have reason to believe that he could be in Montreal, particularly in Verdun, Pointe-Saint-Charles, Notre-Dame-de-Grâce, Westmount or downtown.

Inglis is white, English-speaking and can also speak French. He is approximately 5’10” tall, weighs 145 lbs., has brown hair, blue-green eyes and a brown beard.

Anyone with information enabling the location of Jonathan Inglis can go to their local police station, contact the Sexual Assault Section directly at 514-280-8502 or communicate anonymously and confidentially with Info-Crime Montréal at 514 393-1133, or via the reporting form available on the infocrimemontreal.ca website. Rewards of up to $3,000 can be awarded by Info-Crime Montréal for information leading to the arrest of suspects. n

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Three West Islanders arrested in major drug and firearm bust

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Three West Island suspects were arrested during a drug search last Thursday that took place in three residential homes located in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Pointe-Claire and Vaudreuil-Dorion.

Montreal police (SPVM) seized 11 military-style weapons and 10,000 rounds of ammunition of different calibers along with large quantities of drugs during the search following a lengthy investigation targeting a drug trafficking network led by the West Narcotics Section of the SPVM. Supported by the Quebec Provincial Police (SQ) Tactical Intervention Group, officers arrested the three men aged 33, 43 and 48 while the search was underway at their residences.

The three alleged accomplices are suspected of having belonged to a network which allegedly sold large quantities of drugs every week. During the search of the three homes, police officers seized approximately 13,000 methamphetamine tablets, two kilos of cocaine, 380 grams of crack cocaine and various quantities of other narcotics.

The suspects are facing numerous charges related to drug trafficking and firearms offences.

Two of the accused will remain incarcerated until the next stage of legal proceedings. The third alleged trafficker was released after agreeing to comply with strict conditions.

The SPVM stated that investigation files involving firearms are always treated as a priority, with each seizure potentially preventing numerous violent crimes. n

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Five-alarm fire strikes NDG property

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Joel Ceausu
The Suburban

The Montreal Police arson squad is investigating the five-alarm fire that hit a vacant property on Robert Burns in CDN-NDG, off Côte Saint-Luc road Sunday morning. Area residents reported smoke rising from the three-storey building before 5 am, and firefighters arrived to begin battling the blaze.

Montreal police say that it was soon determined that the fire was deliberately set inside the building which has been vacant for two years.

As of 6 AM Sunday morning the neighborhood air was thick with the smell of smoke, which lingered until at least 9 PM Sunday night long after firefighters had left. At 10 pm Sunday police and fire investigators remained on scene inspecting the property.

The site is known for frequent incidents including vandalism, youth gathering on the roof, and pest issues.

Last summer several police cruisers chased a gang of teens through Côte Saint-Luc after they were spotted on the property reportedly attempting to light a fire. The teens scattered throughout the neighborhood eluding police officers who chased them in cars and on foot through parking lots and underground garages.

The property is also well known as the source of a local rat problem, with rodents seen daily scurrying across the pedestrian bridge over Côte Saint-Luc Road to feed on garbage bins on Adalbert, Earle, Ashdale, or south to the fields and Connaught, racing back to the property to nest.

The property is slated for demolition this year to make way for an 18-storey mixed commercial and residential building. The 120-kV overhead high-voltage line within the Hydro-Québec easement behind the building will also be replaced by a larger, 65-metre high pylon closer to the railway track to accommodate the city’s and Hydro’s 27-km green corridor.

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Police arrest 10 alleged members of SATG in Pointe-Claire jewellery heist

Local Journalism Initiative / / / ,

By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Montreal police (SPVM) have arrested 10 suspects allegedly linked to the South American Theft Groups (SATG) in connection with a robbery committed at a jewellery store in a Pointe-Claire shopping mall overnight Wednesday to Thursday.

Police officers caught up to the suspects around 1 a.m. Thursday after they tried to flee the scene of the robbery in three separate vehicles. The suspects arrested are eight men and two women aged 19 to 38. At the time of the simultaneous arrests, the group was in possession of a safe belonging to the stolen business, jewellery and other items worth approximately $3 million. Inside the getaway vehicles police found a wave jammer and burglary tools which were allegedly used to allow the suspects to gain entry into the shopping centre and the targeted jewellery store.

The suspects appeared at the Montreal courthouse to face charges of breaking and entering, theft, conspiracy and possession of burglary tools. All 10 suspects remain detained until the next steps in the judicial proceedings against them.

The investigation and arrests were carried out by the West Project Investigation Section of the SPVM with the support of patrol officers from neighbourhood stations. The various information collected by the investigation team suggests that the suspects are linked to the South American Theft Groups (SATG). Operating in several countries, members of this criminal network travel to carry out organized theft activities. The SATG is actively monitored by different police organizations and border services. n

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Montreal cops suspended for racial profiling

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , , , ,

By Joel Ceausu
The Suburban

Two Montreal police officers have been suspended without pay for racial profiling and abuse of authority.

Quebec’s Tribunal administratif de déontologie policière ruled that Sergeant Michael Mayer and Constable Carlos Antonio Flores racially profiled a young black man, Stanley Jossirain, driving a car with other black passengers when they were traveling to a hockey game at a school in Saint-Léonard in 2019.

On the afternoon of March 13, 2019, the officers made a U-turn to follow Jossirain and his friends in his Nissan Altima and stopped them, claiming Jossirain did not signal his turn. Flores asked Jossirain for his papers, and Mayer asked the other passengers to identify themselves, one of whom refused. The driver then informed all his passengers that they were not required to identify themselves and closed the passenger window while the officer was attempting to look inside. Jossirain was issued tickets for failing to signal his turn and for obstruction. Mayer returned a Medicare card back to one of the passengers cut in half, claiming it was accidental.

Jossirain filed a complaint with the Police Ethics Commissioner. The Tribunal judge said it was clear that the officers abused their authority by detaining Jossirain, were engaged in conscious racial profiling, tried to conceal the true motivation of their stop and that the destruction of the passenger’s property was done intentionally and “with malice.”

Judge Benoit Mahon ordered a 36-day suspension for then-Sergeant Michael Mayer, and 33 days for Constable Carlos-Antonio Flores in his 22-page ruling on the complaint, five years — almost to the day — following the incident.

McMahon wrote that “these circumstances suggest a serious lack of judgment and maturity, two attributes that are essential to the police function.” He noted that both officers had about 12 years’ experience, but did not testify at their hearings and “nothing indicates that the police officers were truly aware of the seriousness of their actions or of the phenomenon of racial profiling in general… The Court therefore considers that their capacity for introspection is weak and that the risk of recidivism is high.”

“The suspension seems like a good amount of time, especially without pay,” says Red Coalition executive director Joel DeBellefeuille. “Those officers are going to have to think long and hard about what they did. And this also makes it clear for offending officers and their superiors as well that while they think what they are doing is OK, it’s not, and the way this case went was a play-by-play script of what black individuals go through on a regular basis in this city.”

He says “police have the last word before appearing in court, and in this case they encountered a driver who knows his rights but was still issued BS tickets anyway, which can take nine months for a court date to contest.” Meanwhile he says, the driver has to worry about a court date, his driving record, and soaring insurance premiums in addition to the degradation and humiliation of the race-based encounter. “This demonstrates that police still think they’re above the law when it comes to intercepting people of colour and disregarding their rights.” n

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Stabbing in NDG Saturday night

Local Journalism Initiative / / / , , ,

By Joel Ceausu

A 48-year-old man was stabbed during an altercation in NDG Saturday night. Montreal police (SPVM) responded to a 911 call before 1 a.m. Sunday about a man with an injury to his upper body on Girouard near de Maisonneuve.

Police suspect the victim was involved in an altercation with two individuals who were extorting him. The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle. The victim, who is not known to police, was stabbed at least once in the upper body and was conscious when he was transported to hospital, where his injuries are said to be non-life-threatening. No arrests have been made.

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