Two suspects have been arrested in connection with an organized movie theatre screen slashing series.
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) says that on November 16th, 2021, two movie theatre screens were slashed at the Cineplex Silver City Cinemas on Winston Park Drive in Oakville. Two men reportedly damaged the screens during the showing of a movie and fled the area. Later on, the same day, the Cineplex Silver City in Richmond Hill experienced similar damage.
On February 23rd, two men attended Film.ca on Speers Road in Oakville and cut two theatre screens during the showing of a movie. The men then committed the same offence at Cine Starz on Brant Street in Burlington and the Princess Cinemas in Waterloo.
In total, roughly $100,000 in damage occurred as a result of these slashings.
Investigators from 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) took carriage of the investigation.
On Tuesday, July 12th, investigators executed criminal code search warrants at residences in Scarborough and Pickering. Evidence in relation to the offences was secured.
30-year-old Dean Priestly of Toronto was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- Mischief Over $5000 (2 counts)
38-year-old Mohammed Yousafzai of Pickering was arrested and charged with the following offences:
- Mischief Over $5000 (5 counts)
- Conspiracy to Commit an Indictable Offence
Both were released from police custody on an undertaking with a court date.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 2 District Street Crime Unit at 905-825-4777 ext.2216
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
