Teens conducted campaign of crime, intimidation
Oct 16, 2008 - 02:54 PM
By Jeff Mitchell
OSHAWA -- An investigation into a violent home invasion this past summer in south Oshawa has led to dozens of charges against five teenagers accused of a campaign of crime and intimidation.
More than 90 charges for offences including bullying, threatening, robbery, sexual assault and harassment have been laid against the five young men and investigators seized three firearms -- a shotgun, a sawed-off shotgun and a rifle -- Durham police said Thursday.
"They were a loosely-organized gang," Detective Rob Moore said.
"They were wreaking havoc around the south end for several weeks; they committed several crimes."
Victims were male and female and ranged in age from teens to people in their 30s, Det. Moore said.
The six-week probe was launched after a home-invasion style incident July 28, when a gang of thugs forced their way into a home on Birchcliffe Avenue. The armed suspects robbed occupants of the dwelling and fired at a victim as he fled.
An investigation begun by 17 Division cops in Oshawa uncovered a series of incidents in which victims were bullied, assaulted and sexually assaulted. Many of the crimes uncovered had gone unreported because victims were too intimidated to inform police about the incidents.
A team of investigators conducted a high-profile probe, canvassing neighbourhoods to gather information. Residents of south Oshawa co-operated, providing information that led to the charges, Det. Moore said.
"(The suspects) were really intimidating people," Det. Moore said. "It took a while (for police) to build confidence.
"But as we were making arrests people started coming forward and telling us their stories."
One adult -- 18-year-old Nicholas Hunte of Brampton -- and four youths whose identities are protected have been charged.
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