Brampton Youth Charged in Numerous Buy & Sell Phone Thefts

Region of Peel—Investigators from the 21 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau have arrested and charged a Brampton youth in relation to numerous phone thefts during buy-and-sell meet-ups.

During the months of September and October 2024, officers responded to multiple reports of thefts where unsuspecting victims arranged to meet with the suspect to sell their smartphones. The common method used by the suspect was Facebook Marketplace while representing himself with the alias of “David Paul”.

Once meeting with the victim(s), the suspect would ask to inspect the phone and then he would flee with it. In at least one of the reported incidents, the suspect brandished a knife making demands for the phones.  There were no reported physical injuries to any of the victim(s).  

On Saturday, October 19, 2024, the suspect once again arranged to meet with an individual to purchase a set of phones. This time, however, the suspect failed in his attempt to flee and was detained by the victim until police arrived.   A 15-year-old male youth from Brampton was arrested and charged with the following:

• Theft
• Assault

Following his initial arrest, investigators linked the suspect to at least 8 other similar incidents.  

On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in Brampton.  The 15-year-old youth was subsequently charged with the following additional charges:

• Utter Threats to Damage Property
• Theft under $5000 (X6)
• Robbery
• Fraudulently Obtaining Transportation
• Assault

He was held pending a bail hearing.

A general provision of the Youth Criminal Justice Act (Y.C.J.A.) prohibits the release of a Young Person's name; therefore, the identity of the Young Person charged in this investigation is protected.

In some of the incidents, the accused acted with different accomplices who remain outstanding. 

Police are reminding individuals to be mindful when selling high-value items online and when possible, to utilize buy-and-sell exchange zones at their local police facility.  

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact investigators at the 21 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-453-2121, extension 2133.

Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

Subscribe to us on YouTube and follow us on "X"(Twitter) , Facebook, and Instagram.

For media inquiries, please contact the on-duty Public Information Officer at 905- 453-2121, extension 4027. 

Inc: PR240292845
N/R: 24-283

Peel Regional Police - A Safer Community Together
-30-