By: Shazia Nazir, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter
The Halton Regional Police have made multiple arrests in separate investigations involving human trafficking, fraud, drug trafficking, and sexual assault. Two men were charged in a human trafficking case in Oakville, while two others face fraud charges linked to Taylor Swift ticket scams. Police also arrested four people in a drug trafficking probe and charged a Toronto officer with a firearms offence.
TWO HELD IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATION
The Halton Police have arrested two men and laid multiple charges following a lengthy human trafficking investigation. Police launched the investigation in July 2024 after identifying an adult woman being trafficked by two men in Oakville. Further inquiries, including financial records from the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), revealed that multiple women were being exploited by the same individuals. Investigators allege the accused used coercion, manipulation, physical violence, and psychological harm to control their victims while profiting financially from their exploitation.
On March 20, 2025, the police executed search warrants at two locations in Oakville, leading to the arrests of Rayon Powell, 38, of Oakville, who also goes by the names “Dante,” “Michael Williams,” and “Kash,” and Gebre Byrnes, 46, of Oakville, known as “G” and “Jason Peters.” Both men were charged and held for a bail hearing.
POLICE SEEK SUSPECTS IN JEWELRY STORE ROBBERY
The Halton Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying three suspects involved in a smash-and-grab robbery at an Oakville jewelry store. Police responded to Oakville Jewelry after three suspects entered the store. One suspect held the door while the other two used a hammer to smash display cases. Store employees intervened before any jewelry was taken, and the suspects fled in a black Nissan Altima. During the altercation, a store employee was struck in the shoulder with a hammer and sustained a minor injury. Officers later found the Nissan Altima abandoned near Lakeshore Road and Trafalgar Road in Oakville. A search of the area did not locate the suspects. Police have determined the vehicle was stolen from Peel Region. Investigators are asking anyone with information, including security or dash cam footage from the area, to contact the police.
TWO ARRESTED IN FRAUD INVESTIGATION
The Halton Police have arrested two people and laid multiple charges in connection with a series of Taylor Swift ticket frauds that occurred in the fall of 2024. Police began receiving complaints on Nov. 14, 2024, from individuals who had purchased fraudulent or undelivered Taylor Swift tickets from a third-party vendor using the Facebook profile name “Denise Blackhawk.”
The HRPS Financial Crimes Unit launched an extensive investigation as additional victims from inside and outside Halton Region came forward, both during and after Swift’s Toronto concert series. Investigators received 75 complaints and confirmed 55 incidents of fraud linked to the vendor, with total losses estimated at approximately $140,000. As a result, police arrested Denise Tisor, 44, of Burlington, and David Blake, 56, of Burlington. Both have been charged with multiple offences and released on an undertaking, with a future court date in Milton. The police reminded residents to exercise caution when purchasing tickets online.
POLICE ARREST MAN IN SEXUAL ASSAULT
The Halton Police have arrested a man following a sexual assault in Burlington.
Police say an adult woman was sexually assaulted around 6:30 a.m. on March 17 while boarding a bus on Fairview Street near Walkers Line. The male suspect was exiting the bus at the same time and fled the scene on foot after the assault. An investigation led to the identification of the suspect, who was not known to the victim. Bryan Pillon, 34, has been charged with one count of sexual assault and two counts of failing to comply with a probation order. He was held in custody pending a bail hearing in Milton. Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information to contact police.
POLICE OFFICER CHARGED
A Toronto police officer has been charged with a firearms offence after an off-duty incident in Milton, Halton Police say. Officers responded to a call on March 13 regarding the accidental discharge of a police-issued firearm by an off-duty Toronto Police Service (TPS) officer. No injuries were reported. Following an investigation by the HRPS Regional Investigative Services, TPS Const. Alison Cowley has been charged with one count of careless use of a firearm. She is scheduled to appear in Milton court on April 28. Police say no further updates will be provided as the matter is now before the courts.
FOUR HELD IN DRUG TRAFFICKING INVESTIGATION
The Halton Police have concluded a four-month drug trafficking investigation, dubbed Project Cortex, resulting in multiple arrests. The investigation targeted a trafficking network operating in Halton Region and Hamilton. In February and March, police executed four search warrants at residences in Burlington, Oakville and Grimsby. As a result, Ahmad Hassan, 34, of Oakville; Suber Liban, 25, of Grimsby; Sarah Andersen, 43, of Burlington; and Duvontaye Gray, 29, of Grimsby have been arrested and charged with various offences.
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