Illegal scrap metal pop-up in North Hamilton shuttered: police

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Published April 23, 2020 at 1:35 pm

A pop-up scrap business has been shuttered after Hamilton Police and City Bylaw officers uncovered an illegal business on a property in Hamilton’s North End last month.

A pop-up scrap business has been shuttered after Hamilton Police and City Bylaw officers uncovered an illegal business on a property in Hamilton’s North End last month.

On April 16, police say they executed a search warrant at a Wentworth Street North commercial property.

The pop-up scrap metal business was buying stolen scrap metal and selling it out of sea containers and concrete outbuildings in a 24/7 operation.

An investigation was launched, police say, when concerns developed about non-conventional business practices performing within the confines of the property.

When a search warrant was executed, police and bylaw officers identified that several bylaw and criminal offences were occurring.

At the time, police say that 14 people were located living inside sea containers when officers discovered evidence of drug use, $10,000 worth of stolen property, three wanted parties and a man said to be in breach of court conditions.

The grounds were littered with garbage and unkempt items while operating as an unlicensed business.

Bylaw Charges:

  • 2 Licensing Charges (operating without a business licence)
  • 6 Yard Maintenance Charges
  • 1 EMCPA Charge (Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act) – (operating non-essential business)

Hamilton Police say they are looking to speak with the scrap business owners as the investigation continues.

The displaced individuals were all supported with alternate living arrangements, police say.

The items recovered from the scene include:

  • CO2 C8 air rifle
  • Lincoln welder
  • 6 Dynaglow industrial heaters
  • Ipower gas generator
  • Stihl concrete saw
  • Makita hammer drill – auger
  • 2 air compressors
  • Gas power pressure washer
  • Industrial exhaust fan
  • Chainsaw and reciprocating saw

If you are the rightful owner of one of the listed items or can assist with information about this investigation, please contact Detective Constable Brian Wren at (905) 546-8925 or for any City Bylaw questions, please contact Acting Manager Licensing and Bylaw Services Adam Palmieri at [email protected].

To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online at http://www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story contained the wrong date of the search warrant. Hamilton Police have since issued a corrective and this story has been updated to reflect the change. We apologize for the confusion.

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