Burlington vape store owner charged with sexual assault; four arrested in Peel retail theft ring
A Burlington vape shop owner faces sexual assault charges, while four Brampton residents were nabbed with $15,000 in stolen goods in a separate GTA retail theft probe.
Burlington vape shop owner faces sexual assault charge as police seek more victims
A 64-year-old man who operates two vape stores in Burlington has been charged with sexual assault following an incident at one of his locations, Toronto Sun Crime reported Wednesday.
Halton Regional Police said the alleged assault took place at Vape on Plains II, at 1376 Plains Rd. E., where a woman was attacked while alone with the accused on the premises. Mouhamad "Frank" Sabra was arrested Tuesday and faces one count of sexual assault and one count of failing to comply with a probation order.
Sabra also owns a second store, Vape on Plains, at 70 Plains Rd. W. Investigators said they believe additional victims may exist and urged anyone with information to contact the Halton Regional Police's Child Abuse and Sexual Assault (CASA) Unit at 905-825-4777 ext. 8970.
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Four Brampton residents charged in organized GTA retail theft investigation
In a separate case, Peel Regional Police have charged four Brampton residents in connection with a series of organized retail thefts across the Greater Toronto Area, seizing approximately $15,000 in stolen merchandise.
The investigation began after a theft on June 18 at a Mississauga business near Clayhill Rd. and Dundas St. W. Investigators linked the four suspects to additional thefts across Peel Region before executing a search warrant on July 20 at a home in the Mississauga Rd.–Mayfield Rd. area of Brampton.
Officers recovered electronics, health and fitness products, household goods, health supplements, and cosmetics — goods taken from fitness, department, and pharmacy stores. Police also seized two vehicles, jewellery, and cash in multiple currencies.
Four individuals face the following charges:
- Czuljana Ciecierska, 43 — seven counts of theft under $5,000, one count of theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and laundering proceeds of crime.
- Dawid Ciecierski, 47 — four counts of theft under $5,000, one count of theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and laundering proceeds of crime.
- Dawid Ciecierski, 21 — three counts of theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and laundering proceeds of crime.
- Danuta Towinska, 20 — possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
The Peel Regional Police investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact 11 Division CIB at 905-453-2121, ext. 1133.
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Durham man charged after allegedly importing unregulated firearm parts from U.S.
A Brock Township resident is facing firearms charges after he allegedly imported unregulated firearm parts from the United States.
Durham Regional Police said the Guns and Gangs Unit received a tip from the Canada Border Services Agency in August. On September 1, investigators executed a search warrant at a home in Beaverton and reportedly found two rifles, magazines, and ammunition.
The suspect, identified as Jason Courtney Birarda, 40, was located near the property and taken into custody without incident. Police said he does not hold a valid firearm licence. Birarda faces two counts of possessing a firearm while knowingly not holding a valid licence.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Guns and Gangs Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5800. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
Source: Toronto Sun Crime