An arrest of a 43-year-old man for impaired driving leads to police seizing a loaded firearm.

On Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at approximately 4:00 a.m. Hamilton Police responded to a possible impaired driver at a fast food restaurant on Cootes Drive. Upon arrival, police located a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee parked in the drive-thru with an unresponsive single passenger in the driver’s seat of the vehicle.

Police gained entry to the vehicle and checked on the wellbeing of the driver, who was hunched over and appeared sweaty. The driver eventually gained consciousness and was disoriented and unsteady on his feet.

Police arrested the 43-year-old man after locating drugs and evidence to support drug use.

During a search of the vehicle, police located the following;

• 20g of crystal methamphetamine
• 2 glass pipes with residue
• An unloaded Smith and Wesson M and P handgun
• Two magazines containing .45 calibre rounds
• 20 pills of oxycodone

Hamilton Police have charged 43-year-old, Frank Curto for the following;

• Operation while Impaired by drug
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm - Loaded
• Unsafe Storage
• Possession of a Restricted Firearm
• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
• Possession of Firearm in Motor Vehicle
• CDSA 5(2) Methamphetamine
• CDSA 5(2) Oxycodone
• Possession of Proceeds of Crime under $5000.00
• Failure or Refusal to comply with Demand (Drugs)

Thank you to the members of the community that recognized the signs of an impaired driver and took action to report it to police. By doing so, you helped stop a possible collision that could have injured or even killed someone.

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

With all the alternatives and communication surrounding the topic of impaired driving, the issue persists as a significant concern on our roadways.

No arrests for impaired driving occurred on Super Bowl Sunday. However, Hamilton Police did arrest ten individuals for impaired driving over the weekend, with eight impaired by alcohol and two impaired by drug.

At approximately 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2024, Hamilton Police were called to a fast food restaurant in the area of Upper James Street and Fennell Avenue. Police responded to an incident where a 30-year-old male customer grew irate at the drive-thru window upon discovering that the restaurant had run out of rice for the burrito he had ordered.

The 30-year-old opted to park his vehicle and enter the restaurant to express his concerns. As the staff encountered difficulty in persuading the customer to leave, they called the police for assistance. During the police interaction with the customer, it was discovered that the irate individual was impaired.

30-year-old Hamilton man was subsequently arrested and charged with the following;

• Operation While Impaired (Alcohol)
• Resist Arrest
• Failure to comply with Demand

We want to emphasize the critical importance of responsible driving practices within our community. Every decision to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs endangers lives and can have devastating consequences. We urge you to always plan ahead and designate a sober driver, use ride-sharing services, or utilize public transportation if you plan to consume alcohol or substances that may impair your ability to drive safely.

Let's work together to keep our roads safe and prevent unnecessary tragedies caused by impaired driving. Your safety and the safety of others are our top priorities. Thank you for making responsible choices and helping to create a safer community for all.

If you suspect anyone might be impaired by either alcohol or drug, call 911.

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

Hamilton Police have charged a 28-year-old male from Waterloo with impaired operation of a vessel after a boat caught fire and sank in Hamilton Harbour.

On August 16, 2023, at approximately 8:07 p.m., police were dispatched to 47 Discovery Drive for a marine call where a 39-foot Bayliner was reported to be on fire and sinking. The boat had hit the pier when returning to the marina.

Police observed signs of intoxication by the operator and arrested the male. He was charged with operating a vessel while impaired and failing to comply.

If you have any information that you believe could assist police with the investigation into this crime, please contact 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 Tuesday, April 26, 2023 shortly after 9:00 p.m. Hamilton Police received several 911 calls from citizens who reportedly observed erratic driving of a motor vehicle.

Hamilton Police entered into the investigation and conducted a tactical vehicle intervention on the vehicle in question resulting in the safe arrest of a 63-year-old man.

ARRESTED

• 63-old-year man
• Hamilton

CHARGES

• Dangerous Operation
• Impaired Operation
• Fail to Remain
• Operation While Impaired Equal to or Exceeds .80
• Parole Revocation

The matter will be before the courts this morning and as a result no name can be released at this time.

Anyone who may have been witness or has information on this incident is urged to contact police at 905-546-4925.

Impaired driving means operating a vehicle including cars, trucks, boats, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles while your ability to do so has been compromised to any degree by consuming alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two.

Driving while under the influence puts yourself in danger, as well as your passengers, other drivers and pedestrians.

Plan for a designated driver, take public transit, call a ride-sharing service, or arrange with a friend to stay the night.

Everyone must play a part in keeping our roadways safe.

Thank you to those members of our community who make the choice never to consume alcohol or drugs before driving. Never let anyone else drive if you know or suspect that may be impaired, call 9-1-1, save a life.

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

On Thursday, February 23, 2023, shortly before 9:30 p.m. an off-duty Hamilton officer observed a possible impaired driver in the area of Upper James Street and Rymal Road and contacted police.

On-duty Hamilton Police officers responded to the area, located the vehicle and after investigation, arrested the driver for impaired driving.

Further investigation revealed the vehicle operator was a disqualified driver.

Working together, we can continue to make our roads safer for everyone. If you suspect an impaired driver, call 911. By doing so, you help stop a possible collision that could seriously injure or kill someone.

Hamilton Police responded to complaints of an impaired driver and located a sawed-off shotgun.

On Sunday, February 12, 2023, at approximately 5:00 a.m., Hamilton Police received reports of a possible impaired driver in the area of Barton Street and Sanford Avenue.

Hamilton Police responded to the area, located the vehicle and after investigation, arrested the driver for impaired driving. During the search of the vehicle, police located a sawed off shotgun.  

The 37-year-old male driver has been charged with;

• Operation of a Motor Vehicle While Impaired by Drug.
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm.
• Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon.
• Occupant of a Motor Vehicle Knowing There was a Firearm.
• Possession of a Prohibited Firearm.
• Fail to Comply with a Probation Order X2

Thank you to the members of the community that recognized the signs of an impaired driver and took action to report it to police. By doing so, you helped stop a possible collision that could have injured or even killed someone.

On Friday, December 3, 2021 at 9:30p.m., Hamilton Police and Hamilton Paramedics responded to Highland Road, east of Fifth Road East for a single vehicle collision involving an ATV.

A 39-year-old male was riding an ATV eastbound on Highland Road East, when he lost control and was ejected off the vehicle.

The male was transported to the Hamilton General Hospital with serious injuries and has since been released.

The driver will appear in court on Thursday, February 17, 2022.

The Collision Reconstruction Unit is requesting any witnesses to this collision to contact Police at (905) 546-4753 or (905) 546-4755.

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

On Monday, November 1, 2021 Hamilton police were called to the area of St. Joseph’s Drive and John Street South for a two vehicle collision.

Upon arrival, shortly after 1:00 a.m. police determined the drivers of both vehicles were operating a motor vehicle while impaired. They were subsequently arrested, vehicles were impounded and drivers released with a future court date.

Hamilton police are reminding our community if you see something, say something.

Here are some signs of an impaired driver:

• Driving unreasonably fast, slow or at an inconsistent speed
• Drifting in and out of lanes
• Tailgating and changing lanes frequently
• Making exceptionally wide turns
• Changing lanes or passing without sufficient clearance
• Overshooting or stopping well before stop signs or stop lights
• Disregarding signals and lights
• Approaching signals or leaving intersections too quickly or slowly
• Driving without headlights, failing to lower high beams or leaving turn signals on
• Driving with windows open in cold or inclement weather

On Thursday, February 21, 2019, shortly after 1:30 a.m., a Hamilton Police officer was on proactive patrol in the area of King William Street East and Emerald Street North. At that time the officer’s attention was drawn to a Red Chevrolet Uplander minivan that was stopped at the intersection on a green light. A male was observed standing at the driver’s side window conversing with the driver. A preliminary investigation revealed the registered owner of the vehicle was a suspended driver. The vehicle proceeded to drive off and a short distance away a traffic stop was conducted. As police conversed with the driver they learned he was the registered owner. Further investigation revealed he was under the influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested without incident for driving while suspended and impaired operation of a motor vehicle.

Police located a male sitting in the rear of the van, not wearing his seatbelt. Being in violation of the Highway Traffic Act, police requested he identify himself. The male refused and was arrested. During the search of the male, police located items which suggested possible drug activity. Eventually, identification was located for the male and the subsequent investigation into his identity revealed outstanding arrest warrants with Peel Regional and the Hamilton Police. Additionally, he was also bound by court orders which he was violating.

A search of the cabin area between the driver and passenger resulted in police locating an undisclosed amount of cocaine.

The passenger was taken into police custody and held for a bail hearing.

The driver was taken into police custody and later released. He will appear in court on Tuesday, March 19, 2019, to answer to the driving-related charges and Wednesday, March 20, for the drug charge.

The motor vehicle will be impounded for a seven day period.

The cocaine was seized as evidence.

CHARGED

• Camiche Lual, 28-year-of age, from Brampton

CHARGES

• Possession of a controlled substance - Cocaine
• Fail to comply Probation X3
• Fail to comply Recognizance

Warrant executed for failure to comply probation

CHARGED

• 53-year-old Hamilton man

CHARGES

• Possession of a controlled substance – Cocaine
• Operate conveyance while impaired
• Operate conveyance excess alcohol 80mg/100ml blood

On Sunday, November 11, 2018, shortly before 9:00 p.m., while on proactive patrol, police observed a black pick- up truck in the area of Barton Street East and Parkdale Avenue North, Hamilton. The vehicle failed to signal several lane changes which drew the officer’s attention. While directly following the vehicle, the officer could detect the odour of marihuana. A traffic stop was conducted and once the officer addressed the driver at the car door, he detected several odours believed to have been activated to mask the smell of marihuana. The odour of fresh marihuana was then detected emanating from the vehicle’s cabin. Through investigation police determined the driver was operating a motor vehicle while impaired, he was subsequently arrested. Several grams of marihuana were located in the immediate vicinity of the driver.

The driver, a 63-year-old Hamilton man was released with a future court date. His vehicle has been impounded for seven days.

SEIZED

• 13 grams of fresh marihuana
• 9 marihuana rolled cigarettes = 4 grams
• Partially smoked marihuana rolled cigarette

On Thursday, October 25, 2018, shortly after 3:00 p.m., a citizen was following a Chrysler Sebring on the Red Hill Expressway when they suspected the driver was operating the vehicle while being impaired. The citizen contacted police and provided vehicle details and its location. A traffic stop was conducted in the area of Greenhill Avenue and Glen Vista Drive. Through investigation, police determined the driver was impaired.

A drug recognition evaluation was conducted and the drug category was determined to be cannabis.

The driver was released on a Promise to Appear with a court date of Tuesday, November 20, 2018,

The driver’s vehicle has been impounded for seven days and he will now serve a 90-day driver’s licence suspension.

CHARGED

• Male from Hamilton, 20-years-of-age

Drinking and boating account for approximately 40% of boating-related fatalities on Canadian waterways. With the impending legalization of marijuana later this year, the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) and Hamilton Police Service also want to bring attention to the issue of the drug-impaired operation of a vessel. To raise awareness and reduce impairment-related deaths, the CSBC and the Hamilton Police Service are launching year 6 of an initiative called “Operation Dry Water”.

With the summer boating season in high gear, the August long weekend is the perfect time to remind Canadian boaters about the risks of impaired boating. Combined with sun, wind, waves and the rocking motion of the boat, the effects of alcohol and drugs on the water can be greatly increased.

“The CSBC, its partners and sponsors would like, through this and our other initiatives, to raise attention to the problem of boating under the influence and to remind boaters to boat sober,” stated John Gullick, Chair of the Canadian Safe Boating Council. Operation Dry Water will focus on the potential risks of impaired boating, and remedies that are currently in place to discourage it.

Boaters found to be impaired can be charged with Impaired Operation of a Vessel under the Criminal Code of Canada. Human-powered craft, such as canoes and kayaks, are included in the definition of a vessel and are thereby subject to the same penalties. Impaired boating carries the same consequences as impaired driving, including suspension of your driver’s license. Whether impaired by alcohol or drugs, police on our waterways have the tools and training to detect and prosecute these offences.

In advance of the August Civic Holiday long weekend, the Hamilton Police Service Marine Unit will be offering the media the chance to ride-along and observe on-water vessel safety checks.

This initiative is made possible through the support of Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety.

For a 30-second PSA and additional media resources on boating safety please visit www.csbc.ca under CSBC Safety Campaigns.

Media Inquiries

Any inquiries can be directed to:

HAMILTON POLICE MARINE UNIT CANADIAN SAFE BOATING COUNCIL

Cst. Ben Rushton Ian Gilson (Director)

905-546-4941 905-719-5152

brushton@hamiltonpolice.on.ca igilson@rogers.com