A man was nearly abducted at gunpoint and the Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has since arrested those responsible.
On Friday, March 18th, at 8:15 p.m., the HRPS responded to a condo building in the area of Fairview Street and Brant Street in Burlington. Three suspects demanded cash and attempted to abduct a male victim at gunpoint outside his apartment. The victim was forced to the lobby area and was assaulted; however, he was able to escape to a security area and police were notified. The three suspects fled the area in a vehicle. This was believed to be a targeted incident.
A thorough investigation, which included a Criminal Code search warrant at a residence in Hamilton, was conducted by the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau. This investigation was also aided by members of the 3 District Street Crime Unit, Mobile Surveillance Unit and Emergency Services Unit.
On Saturday, March 19th, 23-year-old Ryley Donnelly-Lavelle of Hamilton was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Kidnapping Using a Firearm
- Use Firearm while Committing Offence
- Assault with a Weapon
On Friday, March 25th, 38-year-old Andrew Burroughsford of Burlington was arrested and charged with:
- Accessory After the Fact
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Possession of Cocaine
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
On Friday, March 25th, 38-year-old Christopher Newton of Hamilton was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Kidnapping Using a Firearm
- Use Firearm while Committing Offence
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm/Ammunition
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
- Fail to Comply with Probation
- Careless Use of Firearm/Weapon/Ammunition
- Pointing a Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Carry Concealed Weapon
- Possession of Firearm/Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order (4 counts)
- Possession of Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
On Friday, March 25th, 37-year-old Luke Willems of Hamilton was arrested and charged with:
- Kidnapping Using a Firearm
- Use Firearm while Committing Offence
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
On Friday, March 25th, a 17-year-old of Hamilton was arrested and charged with:
- Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose (2 counts)
- Kidnapping Using a Firearm
- Pointing a Firearm
- Use Firearm while Committing Offence
- Careless Use of Firearm/Weapon/Ammunition
- Carry Concealed Weapon
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Unauthorized Possession of Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm/Ammunition
- Possession of Firearm/Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
Donnelly-Lavelle, Newton, Willems and the 17-year-old were held in custody pending a bail hearing. Burroughsford was released on an Undertaking.
As a result of the investigation two firearms and ammunition were seized .
Deputy Chief Roger Wilkie issued a statement, saying “I would like to commend our officers for bringing this investigation to a speedy conclusion. The bold and shocking nature of these crimes will not be tolerated in our community. Officers from multiple units across the service worked tirelessly and with seamless collaboration to identify and safely arrest these armed and dangerous suspects.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
