On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at approximately 8:00 p.m., a black pickup truck drove onto the grassy area at the northwest corner of Wellington Street North and Simcoe Street. A male suspect exited the vehicle, poured a liquid from a yellow jerry can onto a tent, ignited it, and then fled the scene. Although the fire was extinguished, the tent and all its contents were destroyed. Thankfully, no one was inside the tent at the time of the incident.

Witnesses describe the suspect as a white male, approximately 30 years-of-age, with short blonde hair. He was wearing a t-shirt and black jogger pants.

Detectives have confirmed that this attack was targeted against an individual and was not an anti-encampment statement. This incident remains isolated, and there are no ongoing concerns for public safety in connection to this case.

Investigators are still working to gather information about the suspect and are eager to speak with the property owner of the tent. Anyone with information is encouraged to come forward.

Contact Information: 
Detective Greg Blunsdon
Phone: 905-540-5085
Email: gblunsdon@hamiltonpolice.ca

For those who prefer to provide information anonymously, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit tips online at www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

Hamilton Police appreciate the community's support and cooperation as this investigation continues.

On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, shortly after 8:00 p.m., a black pickup truck drove onto the grassy area at the northwest corner of Wellington Street North and Simcoe Street. A male exited the vehicle, poured a liquid from a yellow jerry can onto a tent, ignited it, and then fled the scene in the truck. 

The fire was extinguished however the tent and all its contents were destroyed. Fortunately, no one was inside at the time of the fire.

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 30-years-old, with short blonde hair, wearing a t-shirt and black jogger pants believed to be operating a black 1999-2006 GMC Sierra with chrome accents, an extended length cab, window rain covers, black rims, shattered rear window and a chrome rear bumper with significant damage to the driver’s side.

Police are currently working to locate and identify the owner of the tent.

If you have information that you feel may assist with this investigation you are encourage to contact Detective Greg Blunsdon by calling 905-540-5085 or by email at gblunsdon@hamiltonpolice.ca

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

On Wednesday, March 1, 2023, shortly after 10:45 a.m., Hamilton Police responded to the area of Gore Park, after receiving reports of an unknown male walking westbound on King Street East with a handgun.

A witness in the area observed a black handgun fall out the pocket of a male onto the ground, then observed the male pick the firearm up concealing it in his jacket.

Hamilton Police located an individual matching the description near a small encampment in the area of Gore Park in possession of a pellet gun. The male was searched incident to arrest and a quantity of drugs were also located.

Phillip Arsenault, a 29 year-old man of Hamilton has been charged with;

• Carrying a Concealed Weapon
• Possession for the Purpose (Fentanyl)
• Fail to Comply Probation x 2

If you have information that you believe could assist police with this investigation, please contact the Division One Staff Sergeant at 905-546-4725. 

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

On Wednesday, November 24, 2021, shortly before 6:00 a.m., Hamilton Police and Hamilton Fire responded to a fire within an encampment at 68 Victoria Avenue North. Upon arrival, first responders found several tents fully engulfed in flames spanning 15-20 feet in the air. Police and Fire were able to pull multiple occupants from their tents before the fire spread.

There were several explosions from items such as propane tanks and electrical generators, which was further fuelled by debris in the surrounding area. The fire destroyed several tents but thankfully no physical injuries were reported.

Hamilton Police located multiple propane tanks within the vicinity which pose a risk to those sleeping rough as well as the surrounding residences. A hydro line was also damaged in the fire.

The Hamilton Police Social Navigator Program is working closely with the City of Hamilton Municipal Law Enforcement and community partners to find alternate housing options for those sleeping rough. At this time, the majority of those affected have been relocated and six individuals have been provided with shelter.

The conditions at J.C. Beemer Park are unsafe. The City of Hamilton will be cleaning up the area and Alectra Utilities will be repairing the damaged line as soon as the encampment has been removed. 

Approximately 25-30 individuals gathered at J.C. Beemer Park to protest the removal of the encampment. Two individuals were arrested during the protest. A 33-year-old male was arrested for obstruct police and a 27-year-old female was arrested for assaulting a police officer.

Hamilton Police will remain in the area as Hamilton Municipal Law Enforcement works to clean up the site.