Police Beat

Police are looking for a suspect in a December kidnapping and assault case after a recent arrest attempt near the Danforth.

In December, a woman escaped after allegedly being held at an apartment for four days near Lawrence Avenue East and Kingston Road. She was beaten a number of times before being taken to another apartment near Danforth and Kingston. When her captors drove her to Bluffers Park, she managed to escape and flag down a passerby.

On March 10, police attended a Strathmore Boulevard residence to search for one of the suspects, John Brown.

While at the address, officers spotted what looked like the suspect’s car, but the driver took off. Several hours later, witnesses spotted the same car crash into a building. The officers followed the car, which pulled a sudden U-turn, hitting the officers’ vehicle before escaping.

John Brown, 43, is believed to be armed and dangerous, and could be violent. Anyone who spots him should call 9-1-1.

In a related previous arrest, June Wilson, 36, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with four counts of assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, two counts of assault, forcible confinement, kidnapping, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and overcome resistance to commission of offence.

Still wanted by 41 Division police are Allison Bray, 35, of Toronto, and Elanna Marki, 40, also of Toronto.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Graeme Naidoo at 416-808-4100. To leave anonymous tips on this or any other crime, contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at 222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or leave a tip on Facebook. Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

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Toronto’s 11th homicide of 2014 happened after a fight broke out near Greenwood and Danforth Avenues.

Just after 8:30 a.m. on March 9, police responded to a call and found Timothy Kevin Milley, 54, injured at the scene. He was taken to hospital, but his condition deteriorated quickly, and despite efforts by Toronto EMS paramedics, he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Police got a description of the suspect from witnesses, and after searching the area made an arrest.

Dwayne Barton, 46, is charged with manslaughter, and made his first court appearance at College Park courts on March 13.

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A man was hospitalized after being attacked near Danforth and Greenwood Avenues on March 1. Just before 9 p.m., the 25 year-old victim was approached by an unknown suspect, who stabbed him in the back and shoulders before fleeing the scene in an unknown direction. The victim was taken to hospital and admitted for treatment. No description of the suspect is available.

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A 32 year-old man was in a building near Dundas Street East when two males wearing disguises and armed with handguns demanded his property. The suspects took his iPhone and wallet, then fled the scene in an unknown direction, leaving the victim with no injuries. The suspects are described as males with thin builds, one around 6’ and the other 5’5” or 5’6”.

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Police at 55 Division are alerting the public that moving company scammers are, yet again, operating in the East End.

What usually happens in the scam is that someone responds to an ad online, on a site like Kijiji or Craigslist. A verbal agreement is made over the phone to hire a van and movers for a particular amount. When the movers arrive, they ask for a receipt to be signed, but that receipt is actually a new contract with a different payment schedule and rate. The movers load property onto the truck, then refuse to unload it until the victims pay the new higher fee.

To avoid becoming unwitting victims to this scam, which has been happening in the Beach off and on for a number of years, police are warning people to be more aware of the potential for fraudulent activity. Always read paperwork before signing anything, and report any potentially illegal activity by email to Detective Keri Fernandes at keri.fernandes@torontopolice.on.ca, Detective Vicki Westervelt at vicki.westervelt@torontopolice.on.ca or by using any of the Crime Stoppers information above.

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Police at 41 Division, covering southwest Scarborough, are warning the public about a recent series of “distraction” thefts throughout the GTA, targeting vulnerable and elderly people.

Generally, two people approach a lone person outside their home or in a public place, and offer cheap jewelry for sale. The pieces are placed on the victim, and when they are removed, real jewelry is also taken.

The suspects are described as middle-aged women, typically with a “getaway” driver nearby. People are asked to warn family and friends about this scheme, and report any incidents to police.

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