On June 24, 2026, investigators arrested a 56-year-old male and a 54-year-old female in connection with an investigation involving the alleged defrauding of a vulnerable family member of a substantial amount of money.

As a result of the investigation, both accused have been charged with:

• Fraud Over $5,000
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000
• Identity Fraud

Both accused were released from custody on undertakings with future court dates.

To protect the identity of the victim, the Hamilton Police Service will not be releasing the names of the accused, as doing so could identify the victim.

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to contact Detective Chris Gates of the Hamilton Police Service Crimes Against Seniors Unit at 905-540-5300.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or by submitting a tip online at www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

"This is not the kind of record we want to set for our city. A small number of individuals continue to engage in reckless behaviour that puts lives at risk. This must stop," says Chief Frank Bergen. 

Gun seizures in Hamilton have become increasingly frequent. On Saturday, September 21, 2024, police responded to a call after a group walking on King Street was confronted by an individual who racked a firearm and pointed it at them. Officers quickly responded and placed the suspect under arrest, they were found to be in possession of a loaded firearm, illicit drugs, and a significant amount of cash.

Since January 2024, Hamilton Police have seized 301 firearms, including 68 restricted weapons. These efforts have led to the arrest of 25 individuals and laid 164 charges. In traffic-related events alone, nine guns have been taken out of circulation.

Hamilton Police continue to encourage anyone with information on illegal guns or activity to come forward to police. Addressing violence in our community requires the active involvement of our entire city. By working together, and sharing information, we can make a significant difference.

Shooting Response Team at 905-546-4883 or email shootingresponseteam@hamiltonpolice.ca.

For anonymous tips, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit tips online at Crime Stoppers.

Investigation has revealed that the shooting had occurred at approximately 6:00 a.m. at which time the occupants of the home were asleep.  Fortunately, no injuries were sustained by any of the occupants.  At this time the police believe that the shooting is targeted and investigators are appealing to residents of the area to check their surveillance cameras for any suspicious activity around the time of the shooting. 

If you have information that you believe could assist police with this investigation please contact Detective Terence Cahill at 905-546-2377 or Detective Sergeant Ben Licop at 905-546-3851.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

On Tuesday, August 2, 2022, Hamilton Police became aware of a hate incident posted on social media.

It was believed to have taken place on Monday, August 1, 2022, on an HSR bus, in the area of Gage Park at the Lawrence Road entrance. The content of the video shows a male making transphobic and homophobic slurs towards two unknown people. The male also made threats towards the individuals and exited the bus at Gage Park on Lawrence Road.

The incident was reported to police via the Hamilton Police online reporting tool by a third party in another province.

Police are urging any victim(s) or witnesses to these incidents to come forward and contact Hamilton Police Hate Crime Investigator Sergeant Rebecca Moran at 905-546-5511.

To provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

In September 2019, the Hamilton Police Service and the RCMP formed Project Skyfall in order to address drug trafficking and firearm-related crime in the Golden Horseshoe. With the assistance of Halton Regional Police Service, the fully-integrated team was mandated to uncover, investigate, and disrupt serious and organized crime elements in our community.

Over the two-year investigation, there were approximately 150 warrants and other court orders filed. In total, police seized 29 kilograms of cocaine, three kilograms of methamphetamine, 400 grams of fentanyl, and 440 pounds of illegal cannabis, which represented a combined street value of $5,518,000.  Investigators also seized 13 handguns, one long gun, other prohibited firearm components and weapons, as well as $765,602 in Canadian currency.

“We know drugs have a significant impact on Hamilton’s streets and are associated with an increase in violence and the rise in opioid deaths. Project Skyfall targeted a highly sophisticated drug trafficking syndicate involving organized crime groups in Hamilton. By working collaboratively with our neighbouring law enforcement partners, we were able to take a significant amount of drugs and firearms off our streets,” says Hamilton Police Service Inspector Mark Stiller.

 “The RCMP recognizes the importance of partnerships to address serious and organized crime in our community,” said Superintendent Jeff Cooper, Officer in Charge of District Command. “This investigation, conducted jointly with the Hamilton Police Service and the Halton Regional Police Service, serves as a great example of how a coordinated enforcement effort can contribute to safer communities and disrupt illegal activity, keeping illicit drugs and weapons off the streets.”

Project Skyfall was supported through funding provided by the Government of Ontario, Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario.

“Organized crime groups exploit profit opportunities wherever they arise. They do not care what city or town their criminal activities take them to. Those involved in these groups are only concerned about making money,” said Halton Regional Police Service Inspector Dave Costantini. “They do not care about the safety, security or well-being of any member of any community.  Project Skyfall demonstrates the success that can be achieved when police services collaborate to tenaciously disrupt and dismantle these criminal organizations.

Concluding in January 2022, 17 individuals were charged through Project Skyfall and 145 criminal charges were laid. The following individuals face charges:

Joseph Iavarone, 29-years-old from Hamilton

• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking (2 counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000 (2 counts)
• Possession of a prohibited weapon 
• Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence

Daniel Reeve, 31-years-old from Beamsville

• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000
• Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence

Caroline Cote, 25-years-old from Hamilton

• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000
• Conspiracy to commit an indictable offence

Sarorn Chan, 34-years-old from Hamilton

• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (psilocybin) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of illegal cannabis for the purpose of distribution
• Possession of property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000

Kim Tang, 29-yearsold from Hamilton

• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (psilocybin) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of illegal cannabis for the purpose of distribution
• Possession of property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000

Hai Nguyen, 24-years-old from Hamilton

• Possession of a prohibited device (5 counts)
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (codeine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (alprazolam) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of illegal cannabis for the purpose of distribution
• Possession of illegal cannabis for the purpose of selling
• Possession of property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000

Robert Vrbanic, 34-years-old from Grimsby

• Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking (2 counts)
• Possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (psilocybin) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000
• Possession of property obtained by crime of a value not exceeding $5,000

Sarah Josipovic, 28-years-old of Grimsby

• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (psilocybin) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of property obtained by crime of a value not exceeding $5,000

Kyle Gallant, 31-years-old of Hamilton

• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of illegal cannabis for the purpose of distribution
• Possession of illegal cannabis for the purpose of selling

Paul Brooks, 55-years-old of Hamilton

• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking
• Careless storage of a firearm
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm/prohibited device
• Possession of a loaded restricted firearm
• Possession of a weapon contrary to order

Pavle Vlahic, 31-years-old of Burlington

• Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine) (3 counts)
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking (3 counts)
• Possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (psilocybin) for the purpose of trafficking
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine)
• Possession of a controlled substance (fentanyl)
• Possession of property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000
• Possession of illegal cannabis for the purpose of distribution

Vladimir Apostolski, 40-years-old of Hamilton

• Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking (2 counts)
• Possession of property obtained by crime of a value exceeding $5,000 (2 counts)
• Possession of illegal cannabis for the purpose of distribution (2 counts)
• Possession of illegal cannabis for the purpose of selling (2 counts)

Hardeep Sihra, 42-years-old of Hamilton

• Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine) (3 counts)
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking (3 counts)
• Possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone) for the purpose of trafficking

Lakvinder Sihra, 51-years-old of Hamilton

• Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine) (3 counts)
• Possession of a controlled substance (cocaine) for the purpose of trafficking (3 counts)
• Possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone) for the purpose of trafficking

Zoran Klisuric, 57-years-old of Hamilton

• Trafficking in a controlled substance (cocaine)

Jamal Chemin (aka Jamal Shehai), 40-years-old of North York

• Careless storage of a firearm
• Knowledge of unauthorized possession of firearm/prohibited device (17 counts)
• Possession of a firearm with altered serial number (10 counts)
• Possession of a firearm contrary to order (3 counts)
• Possession of a prohibited device (6 counts)
• Possession of a loaded prohibited firearm (2 counts)
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm (11 counts)

Investigators are asking anyone with information relating to this investigation, to contact Detective Sergeant Gary Heron at 905-546-3810.

To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

 A copy of the media conference will be available at the following link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7YNKBBoW7Q&t=223s

* This media release has been updated to delete an accused's name where charges were dropped

During the course of the investigation search warrants were executed which resulted in computer devices being seized and the data contents being examined. As a result, evidence was collected that resulted in grounds to believe the owner of these devices was in possession of child pornography.

On Wednesday, November 17, 2021, Joshua David Conroy, formerly employed as a Pastor at Elliott Heights Baptist Church was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography.

Charged

• Joshua David Conroy
• 46 Years-of-age
• Hamilton

Charge

• Possession of Child Pornography

The Hamilton Police Service is a member of the Ontario Provincial Strategy to Combat Internet Child Exploitation. This project has been made possible by a grant from the Ministry of the Solicitor General. The Hamilton Police Service Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit continues to relentlessly pursue offenders, who are engaged in the online sexual exploitation of children. This work was done to ensure the continued protection of children in our community while holding offenders accountable for offences they commit in said community.

The investigation is ongoing. If you have any information that you believe could assist with these investigations into these crimes you are asked to contact any member of the Internet Exploitation Unit by calling 905-540-5247.

If you have any information in regards to this individual or incident you can provide information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by submitting your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com

Cybertip.ca works closely with law enforcement agencies across the country to help protect children from online sexual abuse and exploitation. The tipline is supported by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Criminal Intelligence Service of Canada (CISC). The National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC), part of the RCMP, works with Cybertip.ca under the Government of Canada’s National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet to coordinate and support national child sexual exploitation investigations. To date the Canadian Centre has signed protocols with 28 law enforcement services across the country, with the intent of providing law enforcement with resources for the public.