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On the 8th of September 2009 two suspects attended Metro Grocery Store, 1360 Richmond Road, Ottawa. The suspects using a forged credit card committed fraud. The suspect were captured on video (see below). These suspects are responsible for a number of similar frauds totaling several thousands of dollars at various Metro Stores during this previous year. These suspects might be linked to an older maroon or purple Ford Taurus.

If you have information about these frauds or any other criminal activities call or text Crime Stoppers at 613-233-TIPS that's 613-23-8477 or toll free 1-800-222-8477.

As we get into the holiday period we also enter into the busiest retail season of the year. This is the time when most people will spend a lot of time shopping and for some, travelling. This is also an excellent opportunity for thieves and fraud artists. This is why we encourage you take a few extra precautions.

Shopping at the mall:
Even though you will feel rushed and think there is a thousand things left to be done, try to remain focus and alert to your surroundings. Pay attention to the road conditions and other drivers.
When parking your vehicle in a mall. Become familiar with your surroundings. There are a lot of car break ins. If you decide to drop off purchases at your car, take a few minutes to get into your car and drive it to a different location. Often, thieves will wait to see who drops off items in their car and wait for the person to leave before they break in the vehicle to steal the items. Also, if shopping at night, try to park in a well lit area.
When paying with a credit or debit card, never lose sight of your card. Whenever possible, swipe your card yourself rather than giving it to the cashier. Never leave receipts at bank machines, bank wickets, in trash cans or at unattended gasoline pumps. Shred all paperwork that you no longer need.

Do not keep a written record of your bank PIN number(s) or your social insurance number in your wallet or hand bag.

Shopping on-line:
Shop only from your home computer - it's much safer than shopping at a terminal in an internet café or library. If you plan to buy something, go directly to a store's website by manually typing its address into your web browser. Don't click on links in an e-mail message even if you know who sent it. Verify secure connections. When shopping on-line, do not enter any financial information if you see a broken-key or open padlock symbol on your Internet browser. This means the transaction is not secure and could be intercepted by a third party. When the key is complete or the padlock is locked, your browser is indicating a secure transaction.
Consider using a company acting as escrow (reliable third party), a credit card with a low credit limit or a single use payment card. Unlike secure order forms on a web site, e-mail messages are not private. Do not send confidential personal or financial information by e-mail.
Avoid spam (unsolicited marketing e-mail) by being careful about disclosing your e-mail address both on and off-line. Monitor your bank and credit card and statements on-line. Electronic statements allow you to review your purchases and payments as they happen rather than waiting until the end of the month to review your paper statement. Immediately report any discrepancies to your bank or to the company that issued the credit card.

Other tips:

Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery and do not leave pieces of mail lying around your residence or office. Shred or otherwise destroy pre-approved credit card applications, credit card receipts, bills and related information when they're no longer needed.
Do not provide personal information such as your SIN, date of birth, credit card numbers, or PIN over the telephone or via e-mail. There are more secure methods for providing this valuable information when it is legitimately required. Avoid mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions. Criminals involved in this type of scam typically offer you an instant prize or an award for the purpose of obtaining personal information, such as your credit card numbers.

If you're travelling:

Have someone look after you house in your absence or at least, have someone pick up your mail and shovel your walkway Cancel your paper route. Use timers for your indoor and exterior lights.

This holiday season, be very careful with your personal information. If, despite your best efforts, you feel you've been victimized by a scam or a fraud, you should report it immediately to your local police service. If you have information about a crime contact Crime Stoppers;

613(233) TIPS, that's (613)233-8477 or toll free 1-800-222-8477.
www.crimestoppers.org

In the spirit of giving, The Crowne Plaza Ottawa will donate a portion of its December 20 - 27 bookings to charity, while offering great rates, giving guests more reason than ever to check in this holiday season.

The donation is part of the hotel's participation in the Friends In Need program, an annual initiative held at the more than 24 hotels across Canada managed by SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts. Under the program, the hotel offers low holiday rates ($79.00) and donates $10 from each booking during the campaign that goes to a special charity. The Crowne Plaza Ottawa has chosen National Capital Area Crime Stoppers as its Friends in Need recipient this year. To make a reservation call 613-237-3600 or visit www.cpottawa.com.

The Hawkesbury OPP is presently investigating a theft of a tractor-trailer.

Someone broke into the yard of Matrix Transport situated on County Road 17 in the Township of Champlain sometime during the night of September 27 and the morning of September 28.

The thieves made their way through a locked entrance where they gained access to a white 2006 Freightliner tractor-trailer that was parked in the yard containing a load of scrap metal.

A GPS locating device was removed from the tractor unit owned by the company "Pro North".

Later that morning police were called in to investigate this theft estimated at approximately $250,000.00.

Police are looking for your help. If you have heard or seen anything suspicious that night in the vicinity of Matrix Transport on County Road 17 or if you have any other information about this matter, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or call Constable Ken Gray at the Hawkesbury O.P.P. at 613-632-2729.

The National Capital Area Crime Stoppers program reports web tips have edged ahead of telephone tips for the very first time according to 2008 statistics. The community-run program serves several municipalities in Eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including Ottawa and Gatineau. The number of SMS or text messaging tips were much lower, because the service was established partway through 2008.

By the end of 2008, the 23 year old program has caused the recovery of nearly 57 million dollars worth of stolen property and illicit drugs.

"Crime Stoppers brings together caring citizens, the media and the police who work together to help keep our streets safe," says Keith de Bellefeuille Percy, president of the National Capital Area Crime Stoppers. "Under the slogan 'Crime doesn't pay...but Crime Stoppers does!' we have paid out nearly $700,000 in awards for the anonymous tips that have helped the police solve these crimes.

Donations to the Ottawa-based program may be made at crimestoppers.ca where people can also safely and anonymously pass along tips about unsolved crimes.

Mobile phone users may now text anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers in the National Capital area.

National Capital Area Crime Stoppers Coordinator Sgt. Claude Parent says, "While we've had remarkable success over the years with our 613 233-TIPS phone number, we added the ability for people to submit tips via crimestoppers.ca last year and saw our tips skyrocket. Now, we're expecting even more response by letting people text their tips from a cell phone. Many people have grown up with cell phones and the Internet, and Crime Stoppers needs to allow them to send tips whatever way makes them the most comfortable."

The communities will benefit from the text tips program according to National Capital Area Crime Stoppers President Devon Fermoyle, who points out, "We're particularly hoping that by encouraging text messages to Crime Stoppers we'll help make our schools and streets even safer."

In Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec, tips can be sent to CRIMES (274637) then start with the keyword TIP252. While Crime Stoppers will be able to reply and ask questions, the sophisticated system ensures anonymity by assigning an alias to each user. Crime Stoppers does not receive any identifying information, including the mobile phone number.

Crime Stoppers is a community-run program that pays cash rewards for confidential anonymous information that helps police solve crimes.

On February 21st, 2008, at approximately 2:30 pm, officers of the Hawkesbury OPP were dispatched to the Kwik Cash business, situated at 328 Main Street East in the town of Hawkesbury. Two unknown male suspects attended the Kwik cash store and stole the money from the cash register.

Both had their faces covered with winter apparel.

An undisclosed amount of money was stolen. Both suspects fled on foot on Main Street.
The OPP Canine unit was called in to assist where a short track was performed to no avail.

Suspect # 1:
Height 5'8" to 5'10"; weighing approximately 140 to 150lbs; slim build; wearing dark colored facial winter apparel, dark sunglasses, dark leather gloves and a navy blue jacket. The male spoke English well.

Suspect # 2:
Height: 5'6" to 5'8"; wearing a dark colored facial apparel, dark sunglasses, dark leather gloves and a dark green jacket. Male spoke English very well.

No weapons were observed during the commission of the offence. None of the 2 employees working at the time were injured.

Police are looking for your help. If you have any information about this matter please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display, we will not record your call and you are not required to testify in court. If your information leads to an arrest or a charge, you could qualify for a cash reward of up to $2000.

James Cartwright, who was charged with robbing the Proxim Pharmacy in Alfred last June, has been sentenced to six years in prison. The sentence will be served concurently with a sentence from a similar robbery committed in the province of Quebec at the Essaim Pharmacy in Rigau.

Cartwright was caught on surveillance video at both pharmacies and these photos helped in his identification. Cooperation between the Ontario and Quebec Police Services was instrumental in bringing this individual before the courts.

Cartwright, who is a drug addict, attended the Proxim Pharmacy armed with a kitchen knife. He robbed the pharmacy of money and narcotics.

The National Capital Area Crime Stoppers organization has launched a new Partners Program to help local businesses protect themselves against crime, while continuing to pay cash rewards for anonymous information that helps police solve crimes.

How effective has Crime Stoppers been?
The National Capital Region Crime Stoppers assisted in 4,181 arrests, 6,872 criminal charges, the recovery of $10,351,684.00 in stolen property, $42,336,246.00 in seized narcotics, $290,532.00 in arson/fraud cases and the recovery of 353 firearms. And it has paid out $693,245.00 in awards for the anonymous tips that helped solve these crimes since its inception in 1985.

Why should my business become a partner?
To receive information on how you can help prevent crime against your own business.
To have a voice in the future services that Crime Stoppers may provide you.
To demonstrate that your business is a good corporate citizen.

What does partnership cost?
Annual partnership fees are $100 for small businesses and individuals and $250 for larger organizations. A “Founding Member” category has been established with a fee of $1,000 for the first year and $250 the following years.

How do I learn more?

Just call Crime Stoppers at 613 824-8667.

Press conference at the Gatineau Police Station, held to release the sketch of the suspect in the Kelly Morrisseau homicide. The conference was held on the 19th september 2007. Seated are Roger Augustine of the Assembly of First Nations (left), Isabelle Poirier Gatineau Police Media Officer (centre) and Sgt Claude Parent (right) coordinator of the National Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program.