These alleged bank robbers chose to rob a bank about five blocks away from Toronto Police’s 22 Division.

Police in a release said the suspects are a man and woman who were nabbed by officers of a Public Safety Response Team after robbing a bank January 22 around 3:12 p.m. in the Bloor Street W., and Kipling Avenue area.

Officers said the crooks drove to the bank and one suspect entered wearing a mask to disguise their identity.

“They placed their hand inside their jacket and indicated they were armed with a firearm while making a demand for cash,” police said.

The suspect took a quantity of cash and fled to the awaiting vehicle which drove away.

Officers from 22 Division, at 3699 Bloor Street W., just blocks away received a robbery call and was there in a flash.

Sharp-eyed Response Team officers located and stopped a vehicle and arrested two people after a short foot chase.

Charged are Mohamed Bashir Salat, 37, and Afaf Shuayb Mohamed, 35, both of Toronto, for a slew of robbery offences including disguise with intent, possession of property obtained by crime and conspiracy to commit and indictable offence.

She (Afaf) was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on January 23.

 

  Somewhere in Etobicoke there is a $60 million Lotto Max jackpot winner walking around.

And we hope the lucky winner is booking a vacation to someplace warm to escape the cold.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) has announced the January 21 winning multi-million dollar Lotto Max ticket, for the first big win in 2025, was sold some lucky person in Etobicoke.

The OLD did not identify the winner or where they are from specifically in Etobicoke.

“The lucky winner from Tuesday’s draw now holds Ontario’s first major Lotto Max victory of the year,” the OLG said on its website. “The $60 million prize is a life-altering amount, making the ticket holder one of Canada’s newest multi-millionaire.”

In addition to the jackpot, there was also an Encore prize worth $1 million that was sold in Dufferin County.

In 2024, there were a record-breaking 11 jackpot wins in Ontario, totaling $525 million in Lotto Max jackpot prizing.

The winning numbers in Tuesday’s Lotto Max draw were 13, 15, 21, 35, 36, 42 and 47. Bonus: 38

 

A young offender accused of shooting to death a Long Branch man was part of one of the City’s worst gunfight in which more than 100 shots were fired.

The 16-year-old from Brampton is charged with the killing of professional poker player Matthew Bergart last April.

Toronto Police said the teen is among 23 people in custody on connection with a gunfight between two gangs in which two officers were trapped in the middle.

The gunfire erupted in the area of Queen Street West and Sudbury Street last November 11 at around 11:20 p.m.

Police were in the area for an unrelated investigation when the gunfire broke out.

Police said occupants of a stolen vehicle pulled up to a recording studio in the neighbourhood and three suspects exited the vehicle, opening fire on a group who had gathered outside the building.

“This brazen act of violence escalated into an exchange of gunfire between two groups,” police said.

The bullets struck an unmarked police cruiser with plainclothes police officers inside, she added.

Despite the barrage of bullets, no one was injured during the shootout, police said.

As the suspects attempted to flee the scene officers boxed in the stolen vehicle and one of the occupants was arrested after a brief foot pursuit.

So far 105 charges have been laid and warrants issued for nine others as part of Project Poppie.

“This incident was an audacious and reckless exchange of gunfire in downtown Toronto,” Supt, Paul MacIntyre told the media on January 23. “It is nothing short of a miracle that no one was injured or killed, including innocent civilians and our officer.”

Police seized 16 illegal firearms in garbage containers and other areas that were ditched as the gunmen fled the scene. Some of the firearms seized were modified in order to be capable of fully automatic fire.

The teenager nabbed at the wild shootout scene was charged with second degree murder into the death of Bergart at his Long Branch home.

He also faces five other serious gun related offences.

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the officers performing a bail compliance check were inside a cruiser “found themselves in the middle of a gun fight.”

“Their unmarked vehicle was struck multiple times, and we are very grateful that none of our police officers got hurt,” he said. “Gun fire in our public spaces must be recognized for the harm it causes not just for those involved directly, but for by-standers and the public at large.”

Charges were stayed against eight people of 23 initially charged, police said.

Three of those sought on warrants are young offenders and the other are aged from 18 to 17 and are from Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto.

A virtual public meeting is being held on January 29 for area residents seeking input into the construction of a 43 storey tower across from the Long Branch GO Station.

Massive long-term redevelopment plans are in place for 3807-3815 and 3817-3829 Lake Shore Blvd. W., at Brown’s Line.

The plan is going through the application and hearing stages and will eventually be considered by City Council.

A small outdoor plaza containing a vacuum store, porn shop and convenience store will be demolished to construct the high-rise. The former pizza shop and some other businesses next door are also slated for demolition.

An 11 storey condo will be construction on the site of the former pizza parlour.

The proposed 43 storey tower will contain 549 housing units, 72 parking spaces, 10 spots for visitors and 436 for bicycles.

The meeting runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and you can join online on Webex or on the toronto.ca website. You can also voice your say by phone by dialling 1-416-915-6530. The meeting ID is 2634-443-0177. The passcode is 52953762.

Toronto’s heritage jewel the 126-year-old Old City Hall should be converted to a homeless shelter as its courthouse occupants are bailing out.

City Council is seeking suggestions for the use of the national heritage building at Queen and Bay Streets as its long-time tenants are moving.

The provincial and municipal courthouses that have been tenants of the building will be moving to new quarters in April. It has been leased to the courts since 1972.

The Provincial Courts have relocated to the new courthouse next to Toronto City Hall and municipal courts to St. Lawrence Market North.

“Old City Hall will be vacant with no further active uses planned,” according to a City report.

The historic building was built between 1889 and 1899 and is an example of civic architecture. It is a city landmark deemed a Heritage and National Historic Site.

Almost 1,000 people responded to an online survey and consultation in which they suggested possible uses including the iconic building be converted into a shelter for the hundreds of homeless in a Toronto housing crisis.

Other suggestions included use for food sales, event rentals, cultural programming and opportunities for local artists or businesses.

The most popular were calls for a Museum of Toronto, a TTC museum, a library or for use by Metropolitan Toronto University.

But City staff said the building is more than a century old and requires expensive restoration and maintenance.

In 2019 it was estimated that a full restoration and upgrade of the building would require approximately $225 million in 2020 dollars.

The report said given the historic and complex nature of the building, including an inefficient floor plan and heritage status, any future use will need to consider opportunities to improve, conserve and protect the heritage character.

The building was designed by local architect E.J. Lennox and took ten years to construct, from 1889 to 1899. Toronto itself was incorporated as a city in 1834.

About 100 concerned residents attended a meeting on the proposed 80-bed homeless shelter on Third Street.

A large room at the Maple Leaf House was packed with residents who wanted to know more about a planned shelter for the homeless on the site of a City parking lot on Third Street.

As usual there were many against the shelter and those who support the project, one of 19 proposed citywide to help the homeless population.

City shelters have to turn away hundreds of the homeless nightly in this freezing weather due to a lack of beds.

Many of those at the meeting were asking why there wasn’t public consultation on the upcoming shelter, which is expected to be completed by 2030.

“… everyone is honestly blown away there wasn’t a public consultation on it, and if there was, nobody knew,” one person asked on social media.

Others noted the silence on the issue by Councillor Amber Morley noting “that she has disappeared.”

City crews have already started to conduct surveys and pre-construction work on the project.

There have been hundreds of postings against and for the shelter on social media. There are more than 1,300 people who signed an online petition against the facility, citing it was close to schools and on a residential street. Less than 50 had signed a second petition in support of the project.

“ a mountain of arguments and opinions were presented to the people gathered there to garner support to reject the City’s well-intentioned and sorely needed plan to deal with the growing crisis of homelessness,” one resident said on social media. “… fear-mongering – “no” before we know. “

“it is unlikely that this site will remain parking long-term,” another person wrote. ” There is a serious risk that something deeply destructive to the community will wind up being proposed for this site if the shelter proposal falls through.”

No further meetings or public consultations are planned.

By TANYA VIVIDLY

New Toronto residents Kemish and Annie Martinez were tired of travelling out of the community for delicious Mexican tacos, so they decided to start one of the first taco eateries in the area.

The couple started We the Tacos, at 2765 Lake Shore Blvd. W., and food fans seem to be liking the many mouth-watering tacos and other meals.

“We specialize in traditional tacos,” Kemish said. “Our tacos are affordable, tasty and are a nice size.”

This month they are celebrating the first year anniversary of their business and were recently presented with a GEM Award by MP James Maloney for favourite new business.

On this day there were a steady stream of taco lovers who were arriving for lunch and enjoying the food, which range from spicy to lesser hot.

Kemish said area residents love his tacos because they are made daily with fresh vegetables.  They serve a variety of marinated and salsa-filled meat or veggie filled tortillas.

“We always wanted to have good food,” Kemish said. “We found that we had to go further from the community for good Mexican food.”

The pair did their homework and determined there were no taco eateries in the area and worked to open We the Taco.

“We have a loyal customer base,” he said. “At first it was very challenging and now it is getting a little better.”

Most of the tacos are under $8 and some of the popular flavours include: steak, Baja fish, chicken tinga, rajas poblanas, combos and the favourite guacamole dip. There are also vegan and gluten free tacos.

Tacos are one of the most popular dishes in Mexico and the Martinezs’ plan to “introduce the food to the community.”

The restaurant is catching which is not bad for a couple who only arrived in Canada from Mexico about six years ago.

Their food can be ordered online at wethetacos.ca and they can be followed on Instagram.

A large swath of prime lakefront at the wildlife-sensitive Colonel Samuel Smith Park has been taped off to allow large trucks carrying boulders as part of a three-year erosion control project.

Park users will not be able to access Lake Ontario near the foot of Kipling Avenue due to the heavy work.

Officials said the erosion measures have become necessary ‘due to severe weather events and wave action that poses a potential hazard to parklands and trails.’

The Toronto and Region Conservation Area (TRCA) said their 36-month task accommodates migratory bird movement and wildlife communities.

“The area is a prominent migration stopover point and nesting location for birds and is part of the City of Toronto’s Spring Bird Festivall,” according to the TRCA.

They said in a report the park provides habitat for many plant and animal species, including bird, insect and reptile species. It is a popular spot for dog walkers, photographers and nature enthusiasts.

Whimbrel Point is a popular spot in the park, where for three to five days a year, the birds use this area as a resting point on their migration to their breeding grounds in the Arctic.

The rocky headland is favoured by the Whimbrels, and the park hosts a “Whimbrel Watch” every year to celebrate their return to Whimbrel Point.

“While repairs to shoreline protection structures on Whimbrel Point are not anticipated to negatively impact habitat used by Whimbrels and other birds,” the TRCA said, adding they are ‘taking measures to ensure that work on the headland is scheduled around migration periods.’

Part of the project includes trucks driving along a trail that crosses through the wetland area.

To protect species in the wetland, fencing on either side of the trail will also include turtle fencing, which will prevent threatened turtles and other animals from entering the access route.

The TRCA will conduct visual inspections of the access route in the wetland area to ensure no species are harmed during work.

reas affected by construction will undergo restoration plantings and any areas where construction activities could impact sensitive habitat or wildlife will be considered.

The rock-carrying trucks will access the park through the Gatehouse Laneway, connecting to the southernmost trail via the paved pedestrian trail.

They said access to all or part of the project area and access route will be open outside work hours, which is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends.

Toronto Police senior officers say they are seizing a crime gun every day from criminals up to no good.

Police said since January 1 officers have seized 16 crime guns from those out to possibly shoot or maim people in violent confrontations.

Deputy Chief Robert Johnson told the Toronto Police Service Board on January 14 that in 2024 there  were 85 homicides, of which 44 were from guns.

Chief Myron Demkiw and top staff were before the board seeking $46 million more for the force’s budget of roughly $1.2 billion to recruit and train new officers and improve emergency response times.

Johnson said 717 crime guns were seized by police last year and almost 5,000 firearms charges laid. Most of the illegal firearms come from the U.S.

The Deputy Chief told the board there were a total of 461 shootings and firearm discharges last year.

“We are taking a whole-of-service approach that includes our specialized units working with divisions to get the guns and the criminals who use them off our streets,” he said.

The 35-year officer said the force has kicked off Project Dodger to target gun-slinging tow truck drivers. The new initiative will address the rise in criminality and violence linked to the tow truck industry.

Police said last year there were 63 firearm discharge and shooting incidents linked to tow truck-related disputes, accounting for almost 13 per cent of all shootings in Toronto.

So far this year the tow truck gunplay incidents have escalated further, representing 70 per cent of the city’s shooting incidents to date.

Officers are breathing easier now that an impending ceasefire has been announced in the Middle East.

Johnson said the war led to ongoing concerns about the rise in reported hate crimes.

Since the attack began in October 2023 there have been 197 arrests and 523 charges in relation to hate crimes by police during protests and other events.

One incident occurred on New Year’s Eve when a smoke canister was discharged by two protestors at Union Station that caused concerns.