By Geremy Bordonaro

Wave of local break-ins appears to have abated

The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has told Annex and Harbord Village residents to remain vigilant in the wake of several local residential break-ins.

The perpetrators, who remain at large, accessed homes through unlocked doors and windows on the ground floor. The break-ins occurred at night, occasionally when the owners were at home, and the perpetrators targeted small, expensive items that are easy to conceal like cash, wallets, purses, credit cards, identification, jewellery, and electronics.

“It was a two- or three-day span of increased [break and enters],” said Detective Darren Worth of 14 Division, the investigator on the case. “After that time it kind of died off.”

Although the wave seems to have abated, Warren recommends that community members lock their doors and windows at night.

“Residents should always be vigilant in protecting their property,” said David Harrison, chair of the Annex Residents’ Association.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the TPS at 416-808-1400 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477.

Arrests made in armed robbery case

Two suspects have been arrested in relation to a series of armed robberies that occurred between Harbord and Queen streets, and between Spadina Avenue and Markham Street. As reported in last month’s Annex Gleaner, five separate robberies took place in these areas from April 15 to 30 between 12:00 a.m. and 4 a.m.

In each case, the victims were approached by two men. One would brandish a firearm, after which both suspects would demand that the victim hand over any cash and valuables. The Toronto Police Service has arrested and charged Ruben Ricketts, 21, and Shaquille Martin, 23, but has yet to recover a weapon.

Charges laid in relation to May 20 investigation

The Toronto Police Service (TPS) has arrested three people after responding to a 4 a.m. call on May 20. Sent to Walmer Road and Bernard Avenue to investigate a possible stolen vehicle, the TPS found cocaine, marijuana, and a loaded 9 millimetre handgun inside the car.

The police have laid 54 charges relating to the incident. Brenda Muscat, 49, and Benjamin Todd, 20, have been charged with a variety of charges related to the possession of an illegal firearm, while Kevin Levar Prince, 35, has been accused of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking, failure to comply with probation, and charges related to the firearm.

All three appeared at Old City Hall on May 21.