CRIME SCENE: Witnesses sought for Vaughan arson

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Investigators are looking to speak with witnesses after a Vaughan bar was deliberately set on fire early Tuesday morning.

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York Regional Police said officers responded at approximately 1:30 a.m. to reports of a fire in the area of Centre and Dufferin Sts. The blaze was quickly extinguished by firefighters.

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According to police, an accelerant was used to set the fire intentionally.

Investigators released security camera footage of two suspects arriving on foot and smashing a glass door to the bar and allegedly using an accelerant to set a fire.

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Police said the building was unoccupied and there were no injuries.

The business that was damaged by the fire, Tea Va See Bar and Lounge, shared a update to their Instagram account on Tuesday.

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“Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will be closed for a short term. But don’t worry, we’ll be back very soon,” the owners wrote.

“Thank you for your support and understanding. We can’t wait to welcome you back again.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Bureau 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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NIAGARA-AREA MAN ACCUSED OF SEX OFFENCES AGAINST CHILD

A Niagara-area man is accused of several sex offences allegedly committed against a child.

Niagara Regional Police said officers were called to a Port Colborne residence on Sept. 3 to investigate a historical sexual assault.

Police said cops discovered that a child under the age of 16 had been the victim of several alleged offences.

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Detectives with the Child Abuse Unit took over the investigation and arrested a 29-year-old Thorold man.

Francesco Broccolo-Criger was charged with two counts of exposing genitals to a person under 16 years of age for a sexual purpose, invitation to sexual touching under 16 years, sexual interference with a person under 16 years, sexual assault, and luring via telecommunication with a person under 16 years to facilitate invitation to sexual touching.

Investigators suspect that there may be other victims and are asking anyone who believes they may be a victim, or who has any information relevant to this investigation, to contact investigators at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009494, or by calling Crime Stoppers of Niagara at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

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GUNSHOTS REPORTED OVERNIGHT IN HAMILTON

Gunshots were reported in downtown Hamilton early Wednesday morning, police said.

Officers with Hamilton Police responded at approximately 12:14 a.m., within minutes of the gunfire, to Ashley St., near King St.

According to police, two shell casings were recovered at the scene, but no victims were found. A small amount of blood was found on the sidewalk in front of 627 King St.

After speaking with witnesses, cops said a physical altercation may have occurred at that location.

As of Wednesday morning, anyone who may be injured have not contacted authorities, police said.

The investigation remains ongoing, with police saying officers are working to determine exactly what happened.

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Anyone who was in the area and saw or heard anything that could help investigators to contact the Hamilton Police Shooting Response Team at 905-546-4883 or email shootingresponseteam@hamiltonpolice.ca.

BY-LAW OFFICER ASSAULTED IN OSHAWA, WOMAN CHARGED: COPS

A 32-year-old woman is accused of assaulting a by-law officer in Oshawa.

On Wednesday morning, Durham Regional Police said in a social media update that officers responded to an assault call in the area of Grandview St. S. and Olive Ave.

A by-law officer reported being assaulted after issuing a parking ticket to a female driver, police said.

“After the assault, the female proceeded to drive her vehicle aggressively past a cross walk failing to stop for a crossing guard,” cops said.

The woman, from Clarington,  was charged with assault and failing to obey a school crossing stop sign.

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