POLICE AND EMERGENCY services outside Lake Promenade home where suspicious package arrived in mailbox. Courtesy CTV News.
Police have fanned out their investigation to other jurisdictions after more extortion letters that first popped up in South Etobicoke mailboxes have shown up in Burlington.
The letters, along with a plastic bag containing a white powder, were delivered to a number of expensive homes in the Lake Promenade area, near Col. Samuel Smith Park.
One resident said “there had been a number of suspicious packages delivered to homes in the area recently.”
Officers of 22 Division were at some of the homes last night and are back today to take photos for evidence and talk to homeowners who received the letters.
Residents said the envelopes were formally addressed to them and were delivered by Canada Post.
Detectives said the small bag did not contain fentanyl, but powdered sugar, when tested by police.
The letters included threats to life and demanded that recipients send funds or harm would come to them or their families. Some fear through fentanyl poisoning.
Police said the letter directs the homeowner to deposit an unspecified amount of Bitcoin in exchange for their family’s safety.
Officers are warning the public to be vigilant when opening their mail boxes especially at this time of the year when people receive Christmas cards from friends and family.
“If you receive the letter and substance, try not to handle it as much as possible,” police stressed in a release. “Place the envelope outside, preferably in a covered area, and cover it with an upside down garbage can or something similar to protect it.”
You are urged to contact police immediately. It appears the letters were all delivered in the morning hours of December 18.
Area residents reported a lot of police activity in the community that day as emergency vehicles rushed to the homes of panicked residents as the letters were found.
Residents are being warned this is an extortion scheme and they should not sent money or respond to the letter.
Halton Regional Police said some residents in Burlington also received letters from the unknown sender. The force is investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-2200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).