Facebook Marketplace Robbery Investigations

On Aug. 9, police received a report of a robbery following a sale arranged through Facebook Marketplace. During the transaction, the suspect produced a handgun and took an item from the victim. Investigators are asking anyone who was in the area between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. and may have dashcam or other video footage to contact police. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Robbery Unit.

This is the second Facebook Marketplace robbery to occur in less than a week. On Aug. 10, an attempted robbery and firearm discharge occurred outside a financial institution in the 1100 block of Beaverwood Rd. around 10:30 a.m. A seller had arranged to meet a prospective buyer through Facebook Marketplace outside of the institution. During the meeting, a male, now identified as a young offender, allegedly attempted to rob the seller and pointed a firearm.

Two shots were fired during the incident, thankfully striking noone.The victim sustained minor injuries. Three people, including a security guard, the victim and an off-duty police officer, took the suspect into custody. The suspect was transported to CHEO for minor injuries sustained during the arrest. Authorities recovered a firearm. The investigation remains ongoing and investigators ask that anyone with information contact the Robbery Unit.

OPS Seeks Assistance IDing People in ByWard Market Assault 

The OPS is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying three individuals in connection with an assault that occurred on Saturday, July 11, in the area of York Street and ByWard Market Square. The assault resulted in the victim suffering a broken arm. 

Investigators believe Subject 1 was involved in the assault, while Subjects 2 and 3 may have information relevant to the investigation. Police describe Subject 1 as a white female with long dark-brown hair. At the time of the incident, she was wearing a black sleeveless dress and carrying a pink purse. They say Subject 2 is a female with tan or olive skin and long dark hair. At the time of the incident, she was wearing a red dress and high heels. 

Police say Subject 3 is a white male with brown hair and brown facial hair, including a moustache and facial hair on his chin. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a white short-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, white shoes and carrying a black shoulder bag. 

Anyone who can help identify these individuals or who has information about the incident should contact the OPS Central Investigations Section.

READ MORE: Ottawa Police Blotter – August 12

Bagpiper Assault Investigation Ongoing

On Aug. 15, shortly after 4 p.m. ET the OPS arrested a man following an assault. An unknown man approached and assaulted the victim with an edged weapon while the victim was playing the bagpipes on the sidewalk. The suspect left the area but was quickly located and arrested by officers nearby. 

The victim sustained minor injuries to his hand and was treated at the scene by paramedics. Authorities arrested 25-year-old Jean Dorestant, who faces charges of Assault with a Weapon, Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, Obstruct/Resist Arrest, and two counts of Breach of Probation. The investigation remains ongoing and the OPS asks that anyone with information or video surveillance footage related to this incident to contact its Central Investigations Section.

The post Ottawa Police Blotter – August 19 appeared first on CompassNews.

In a follow-up to a previous story, on May 27, the OPS charged a 50-year-old man in connection with a sexual assault that occurred late Saturday, March 28, on Colonel By Drive, in the area beneath the Mackenzie King Bridge. The assault took place between approximately 11:00 p.m. ET and midnight. The assault was subsequently reported to the OPS, and the Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit investigated the incident. During the investigation, officers identified the suspect as 50-year-old David Cheddesingh and arrested him on May 25. The investigation is ongoing and investigators believe there could be additional victims. Police are asking anyone who may have been driving along Colonel By Drive during that time and has dash cam footage, or anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed anything suspicious, to come forward.

On May 29, the OPS charged two men following a multi-jurisdictional investigation involving technology-facilitated sexual violence. After the OPS received a report of harmful online content depicting the victim, investigators quickly launched a trauma-informed and victim-centred investigation. The investigation focused on allegations of criminal harassment and the online exploitation of women, including the alleged misuse of emerging technologies to create and distribute harmful sexual content without consent, including, but not limited to, artificial intelligence (AI) deepfakes. As the investigation progressed, investigators determined that the impact extended beyond a single complainant and crossed jurisdictional boundaries. 

Police charged Stephen Lowe, 60, of Maitland, NS and Gregry Van Beek, 38, of West Nipissing, ON. Police arrested Lowe on February 12 and charged him with 25 counts of harassment by combination of prohibited conduct, 25 counts of uttering threats, 25 counts of publishing/possessing obscene material for distribution, 2 counts of printing/publishing/possessing to publish child sexual abuse material, and 2 counts of importing/selling/distributing, etc. child sexual abuse material. 

Van Beek was arrested on May 2 and has been charged with 2 counts of harassment by watching and besetting, 1 count of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, 2 counts of uttering threats and 2 counts of publishing intimate images without consent. As the matter is before the courts and subject to a publication ban, that is all the available information at this time.

On May 30, the OPS responded to Mooney’s Bay Park at approximately 8:53 p.m. ET following reports of a stabbing altercation, where two injured victims were located. Authorities located two injured victims, transporting one to the hospital with serious injuries, while the other victim received minor injuries. No arrests have been made at this time, as the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the OPS.

The post The Ottawa Police Blotter – June 3 appeared first on CompassNews.