Oakville resident Nibal Slim received the Halton Regional Police Chief's Citizen Award. The awards ceremony took place in the Burlington Convention Centre on May 16, 2019. The award recognizes members of the community who acted in a courageous fashion to help the Halton Regional Police. They protected their community demonstrating an act of good citizenship.
Towards the end of 2017 the Halton Regional Police noticed a spike in residential break an enters in Oakville. This was a trend across the region.
On March 2, 2018 Nibal Slim was walking his dog on a local trail when he heard smashing glass. He turned around and noticed a male in someone's backyard.
The man stood on a deck next to a broken glass door. Nibal called out to the man, who suddenly fled the backyard on foot. Nibal along with his dog chased the man to a parked vehicle.
After jumping into the vehicle he drove at Nibal Slim and his dog, nearly hitting them. Nibal noted the licence plate and then called police.
The act of obtaining that licence plate launched a multi-agency investigation bubbed "Project Estruendo". From Mr. Slim's information, the police initially arrested 14 suspects and recovered approximately $2.7 million work of stolen property.
The investigators determined that the group broke into 400 properties across the GTA. In total, 15 Chilean nationals were arrested and charged with 105 criminal offences.
This investigation led to the Halton Police working with agencies around the world to the same group.
The courageous act by Nibal Slim provided crucial evidence which triggered "Project Estruendo".
Chief's Award of Excellence in Criminal Investigations
The Halton Regional Police Services team who worked on "Project Estruendo" were members of Oakville's property crime team. They received the Chief's Award of Excellence in Criminal Investigations:
Property Crime Team
- John McMullen Detective Constable
- Mary Tinebara, Detective
- Ron Strauch, Detective
- Shane Glenfield, Detective Constable
The evening began with the land acknowledgement and history of the many first nations who surrounded the great lakes.
First Nations
- Attawondarons
- Ojibway
- Iroquois
- Howden-Osaw-Knee
- Anishnawbek
- Mississauga's of the New Credit Nations
Parade Commander Regimental Sergeant Major Matt Flyod and Colour Party Commander Sergeant Major Paul Wicket piped in dignitaries. The Service's Ms. Carla Onorato sang Canada's national anthem. Police Chief Tanner and Police Services Board Chair, Mayor of Oakville Rob Burton presented the awards.