5 most read Milton crime stories of 2022

As Milton residents know, our town is not immune to crime.

While the growth of Milton is bringing a lot of economic benefits including more jobs, shopping, and construction, it also provides an opportunity for the bad guys to ply their trades.

It is a reality that a day doesn’t go by without reports of another stolen vehicle, a house break-in, or a gas station robbery…and those are the less violent crimes.

In 2022 our readers responded to stories about crime. Most of these stories were tragic and had repercussions that reached beyond the initial impact affecting families, friends, and entire communities long after they occurred.

Here, then, in descending order (and with links to the original story), are Milton’s most-read crime stories of this past year.

5. Milton man arrested in $67-million drug bust

In September, a joint task force called Project Gateway netted police several arrests, including a man from Milton, that involved drug labs, smuggling, stolen vehicles, and weapons.

Those arrested across the GTA and beyond ranged in age from 20 to 81 in what police claim was a major seizure that put a dent into drug operations in Southern Ontario

4. Joint project recovers stolen vehicles from Milton 

Chances are if your vehicle gets stolen you never see it again.

Not this time.

For a few lucky residents in Milton, a joint venture between Halton Regional Police and the Canadian Border Services Agency called Project Eleanor, led to the recovery of 32 vehicles across Halton Region.

The investigation stemmed from the large number of auto thefts especially when it comes to high-end SUV’s and pick-up trucks.

Police identified several suspects and the location of a shipping yard was discovered where the vehicles were recovered. Several arrests were made.

3. Woman stabbed in Milton home dies of her injuries

In November, residents of a normally quiet neighbourhood, found out how things can quickly change when a large police presence gathered outside their doors.

The area was Farmstead Dr. and Gosford Cres. where officers were investigating an incident where a woman was found with stab wounds. A search for a suspect was immediately carried out and a short time later, a man was arrested.

The woman died of her injuries and this led to second-degree murder charges against 40-year-old Asad Rasheed. Police have never released the relationship between the victim and the accused.

2. Video captures vehicles being broken into along a Milton street

Back in June, we were sent videos that captured people walking through a neighbourhood and checking on car doors to see if they were open.

In one of the videos, you can see a man clearly opening the trunk of a car and removing items before casually walking off.

Vehicle thefts and break-ins have become routine in Milton with the crooks showing no fear going up and down driveways in the early morning hours looking for an opportunity with an unlocked door.

The advice from police is simple: Lock your doors.

1. A former employee guns down the owner of a Milton auto repair shop and another working after killing a Toronto cop

On Sept. 12, after targeting and killing a Toronto police officer at a coffee shop in Mississauga, a man steals a car and races to Milton where he confronts those working at MK Auto Body with a gun. Killing the owner and shooting two others, one of whom would succumb to his injuries in hospital, the suspect, Sean Petrie, flees into Hamilton where he is killed during a shootout with police.

The brazen nature of the Milton shooting rocked the community and put to rest the long-held view that this type of crime “couldn’t happen here.” Sadly, it did.