Latest news with #StThomas
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
2 cities, 2 buildings and 1 fugitive landlord leaves tenants in unlivable conditions
A wanted fugitive accused of being the ringleader of a grandparent scam has left tenants in two southwestern Ontario cities with a host of maintenance issues and no one to turn to for help. Gareth West, 45, owns two apartment buildings in London and St. Thomas, according to property records obtained by CBC News. He's been at large since U.S. authorities issued an arrest warrant for him in February for the alleged scam call centre he operated out of Montreal, defrauding American seniors out of more than $21 million US. Tenants at both of his buildings say they haven't been able to get a hold of West in months. In that time, they've dealt with sporadic power and water outages, garbage piling up, their units in need of significant repairs and now, without a landlord, they're unsure of what comes next. "We're kind of left in limbo. Gareth is missing in action and nobody knows where he is," Audrey Knight said, who lives at 14 Holland Street, a three-storey walk-up in St. Thomas where she pays $1,900 in rent each month. "We have one email [contact] and it doesn't get replies, so we're just trying to navigate where we go next and unfortunately nobody really has great answers for us," Knight said. Despite residents keeping up with their monthly rent, power was cut off for several hours on Tuesday because their landlord hasn't paid the hydro bills. Garbage also hasn't been collected since April and some residents have taken it upon themselves to do lawn care and clean the building, Knight said. "It's very stressful when you don't know from one day to the next if I'm going to have water or electricity because we paid all our bills," said Wendy Nichols, 70, who has lived at the building for almost six years. The residents said they won't be paying rent until the situation is resolved, with some saying efforts to make their payments have been unsuccessful. A handful of residents said their deposits weren't accepted, though others said the money was withdrawn from their accounts. The City of St. Thomas has issued property standards orders, which allows bylaw to enforce the Residential Tenancies Act. Tenants believe the next step will be the bank seizing the property and it going on sale again. Property records show West purchased in the building in 2022 and Nichols said she is among the few residents who have met him. She said he offered her a $20,000 buyout to move elsewhere, so he could renovate the property and raise rent, which she declined. West has branded himself on social media as a real estate builder and health enthusiast, and made several Instagram videos standing outside his properties, including in St. Thomas, where he'd give tips on flipping properties and using the "cash for keys" model to renovict tenants. He and 25 others are facing wire fraud charges in the U.S. for the alleged grandparent scam, and if West is convicted, he could spend 40 years in jail. West's London, Ont. property It's a similar situation for tenants over at his other rental on 308 Egerton Street in London. Residents at the apartment have banded together in efforts to fix their water heater but are told they might have to incur those costs out of pocket, which most people can't afford, said Cheyenne Lemieux, who has lived there since September. "We've been without hot water for about a-week-and-half now, our garbage hasn't been taken out in over a month. There's garbage everywhere, some of us have been keeping it in our units because we don't know what to do with it. We're drowning in it," said tenant Andrew Foster. "It's been a pretty rough situation, especially since I have two young kids." The tenants said they're frustrated because they've been forced to take on responsibilities they didn't sign up for. "We're just supposed to pay rent and that's why somebody moves into an apartment, so they don't have to deal with the other stuff with having a house but we're worrying about the garbage, grass and cleaning the building. It would be nice to worry about my own apartment and not all the other things that have come with it," said Knight. City officials in St. Thomas didn't respond to a request for comment in time for publication. The City of London said after failed attempts to contact the property owner to address the maintenance issues, it is now working with the mortgage company to resolve the matter.
CBS News
a day ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Man cites Minnesota lawmaker shootings in emails threatening federal officials, charges state
Minnesotans come together at State Capitol to honor the Hortmans, and more headlines Minnesotans come together at State Capitol to honor the Hortmans, and more headlines Minnesotans come together at State Capitol to honor the Hortmans, and more headlines A North Dakota man faces criminal charges for allegedly sending threatening emails to federal officials, citing the politically motivated shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses. According to the complaint filed on Tuesday, the suspect is charged with making interstate threats and threats against a federal official. "Help me before this gets very ugly and personal" An affidavit, written by FBI Special Agent Christopher Potts, states the suspect was upset about a lien placed on his home in St. Thomas, located about 60 miles northwest of Grand Forks, in the summer of 2023. Court records show the suspect had apparently sold his property to a Texas company specializing in "buying homes from homeowners who desire to quickly sell their homes" because he found a new job and needed to move. The suspect claimed he reached a sales agreement with the company, which then turned around and changed the terms and eventually put a lien on the home. He claims he was then fired from the new job, and his attorney bungled subsequent attempts to fight the company before demanding more money and suddenly quitting. In a February 2024 email sent to the U.S. Attorney's Office in North Dakota, the suspect — writing under a pseudonym — allegedly made vaguely violent threats to federal officials while seeking help with his financial crisis, closing the email with this line: "HELP ME BEFORE THIS GETS VERY UGLY AND PERSONAL." The FBI gets involved as legal, financial woes mount Hours later, an agent and officer with the FBI visited the suspect's home to discuss the email, which he denied writing. Court documents state he told law enforcement he wouldn't announce threats ahead of time if he was actually going to follow through, and maintained he had no access to firearms. The FBI decided not to pursue any action at that time The suspect then continued his legal journey, without proper counsel, to fight the lien and collect damages. In September 2024, he filed a lawsuit over the lien issue, but the case was thrown out two months later. He appealed, but focused his claims against the judge who dismissed the case, according to the complaint. North Dakota's Supreme Court eventually dismissed the appeal, citing multiple examples of the suspect's lack of compliance with court rules. In the end, the suspect was only rewarded $1,000 in damages. "I don't want this situation to end up like Minnesota" On Sunday, the suspect allegedly sent more emails to the U.S. Attorney's Office, referencing the murders of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, on Saturday inside their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota — as well as the shootings of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their Champlin home. "Just sitting here wondering what a law maker and a representative were shot and one dead over in Minnesota and one thing comes to mind, something like that doesn't fall out of the sky now does it," the suspect allegedly wrote. "I'm most certainly not making threats but when law makers make laws and the state doesn't follow the laws they? It would probably piss some people off right." The suspect also reiterated that his pleas for help with his lien situation were ignored, claiming police want to "silence him so public officials could engage in corruption" by withholding the damages he believes are due to him. "Now I'm going to be honest with you I don't want this situation to end up like Minnesota over the weekend, do you," one of the emails read. "I don't know the specifics in this Minnesota case but a representative and a lawmaker were shot and one of them is dead and all of you mentioned above are basically avoiding your responsibility and that is creating some bad situations. I'm not impressed with this corrupt behavior and I'm not going to tolerate it." The man accused in the Minnesota lawmaker shootings, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, is currently in custody and faces multiple federal and state murder charges.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Halton Region warns of potential measles exposure in Oakville
A dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination awaits the next patient during a vaccine clinic at Southwestern Public Health in St. Thomas, Ont. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins Halton Region says it is investigating a confirmed case of measles in Oakville. Halton Region Public Health (HRPH) did not release further details about the case but said possible exposure may have occurred at 3075 Hospital Gate in the North Oakville Medical Building, near Dundas Street West, on June 12 from 2:10 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. HRPH says measles is a highly contagious disease that spreads 'easily' through the air and any visitors to the building during the noted times should check their immunization records and watch for measles symptoms for 21 days after exposure. Symptoms include a high fever, a red and blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads down the body, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and small, white spots on the inside of the mouth. Public Health Ontario (PHO) says a total of 2,083 confirmed and probable measles cases have been reported in the province since an outbreak began in October 2024. Earlier this month, an infant in southwestern Ontario who contracted measles from their mother before birth and was born prematurely died.
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
A fugitive landlord is at large. Where does that leave dozens of his Ontario tenants?
Tenants of buildings owned by a wanted fugitive could be safe from eviction if the bank or a new landlord take over, a legal expert says. Gareth West, 45, is wanted by U.S. authorities for allegedly running a grandparent scam call centre in Montreal, defrauding American seniors out of more than $21 million US. He's been at large since an arrest warrant was issued for him in February. CBC News has previously reported that Gareth owns two apartment buildings — one in St. Thomas and the other in London. West bought another building, at 232 Elm Street in St. Thomas, in March 2022 but the three-storey walk-up was ordered shut by the fire department last November for severe fire code violations, resulting from botched renovations. It was foreclosed that same month before the bank took over in January, according to property records. "When the bank takes over, it's actually a good thing because if the landlord wasn't paying the utilities then the bank takes on the responsibility and things get restored," said Elena Dempsey, a lawyer at Elgin-Oxford Legal Clinic in St. Thomas. Tenants living at West's rentals at 14 Holland Street in St. Thomas and 308 Egerton Street in London say they've been left to deal with uncollected garbage piling up, power interruptions and no hot water. They've expressed concerns about what comes next in the absence of their landlord. Both cities said services are restored at the apartments and they're working with the respective mortgage lenders. What happens next? The next step would involve the mortgage lender, which could be the bank, seizing the properties and taking ownership until its sold to another buyer. However, tenants would have protections against evictions under the Residential Tenancies Act. "The only way the bank would seize the property is if the landlord goes into default on the mortgage," Dempsey said. "We have in the past had times where the landlord can't pay utilities, or the landlord is unable to maintain the payments on the property and the bank takes over, which is more frequent." With West on the run, the lender can get an order from Superior Court allowing it to take ownership, but that process could take several months. Residents will then have to prove they are legitimate tenants, after which they'd receive something called a Notice of Attornment and their rent would be paid directly to the bank from the date of the notice. Having the bank as their landlord can be a boon for those living at the buildings because it can guarantee stability in services, said Dempsey. If another person or company purchases the building, they become the new landlord and cannot evict tenants without valid cause, she added. "Only under the act can you evict, you cannot just say 'Get out people, I'm the new owner,'" Dempsey said. "If the new person takes over and one of the tenants do something that give rise to eviction, potentially yes, they could be evicted, just like they can be evicted anywhere else." The landlord could apply to demolish the building or convert it for other use but they're required to provide at least 120 days notice and tenants can contest that at the Landlord and Tenant Board — another lengthy process. Municipalities limited in authority Municipalities are limited in their jurisdiction over private properties, said St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston. However, his city and London have issued bylaw notices which gives them authority to address violations such as garbage collection, and issues with water and electricity. "Not having trash picked up is not likely enough of a property standards but when we get water and electricity shut off, then we can step in after a disconnect has happened to get it turned back on. We cover those bills and put them on the landlord's [property] taxes," said Preston. "The landlord has certain obligations, even if he is an absentee landlord, and it appears right now things are back on and tenants are being well served but we will make sure we get involved where we need to." With West at large, the property tax expenses become a lien on the buildings and would prevent future sales until that's paid, said Preston, adding: "It gives us some power to be able to collect from anybody who might purchase the building in the future." St. Thomas officials managed to find new housing for all tenants at West's Elm Street rental, said Preston. Both cities said they will work to help relocate tenants in the event of an eviction, but that remains up to the mortgage lender or new owner. Keep rent money aside, lawyer tells tenants Some tenants CBC News spoke to said they won't be paying rent until the situation is resolved, with some saying efforts to make their payments have been unsuccessful and deposits weren't accepted, though others said the money was withdrawn from their accounts. Dempsey's advice is to put money aside until there's a resolution. Tenants could pursue the new landlord for violations of tenant protections such as loss of services, interference with reasonable enjoyment, emotional distress and other issues. "It's not a good idea to withhold your rent. Any court does not look favourably upon self-help remedies," she said. "Let's say the tenants pooled all their money together and paid the hydro bill, that might be a good argument as to why they shouldn't pay their rent but I'm not hearing that that's what they've done."
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
‘We heard gunfire': Neighbour stunned as St. Thomas Police investigating bullet holes in home
Police are investigating after reports of shots fired in the area of Erie Street and Talequah Street. June 17, 2025. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) Multiple bullet holes can be seen in a St. Thomas residence after overnight gunfire. Around 1:45 a.m. Tuesday, police went to the area of Erie Street and Talequah Street after taking multiple 911 calls for reported gunshots heard in a neighbourhood south of Wellington Street. 'It was a little bit of a wild morning,' says neighbour Allen Elliott. 'My wife and I were sound asleep and we heard gunfire — pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, right outside our bedroom window. We jolted awake and my wife said 'Oh, that's gunfire.' We called 911 and within a few minutes, police were here.' When officers arrived, they found multiple bullet holes in a window and door on the south side of a home on Talequah Street. 'The area has been blocked off as we continue to investigate,' says Samantha Wakefield, corporate communications officer for the St. Thomas Police Service (STPS). 'We do have our forensic identification technician on scene collecting photos. The area will remain under investigation.' st thomas - bullet holes - june 2025 The St. Thomas Police Forensic Identification team investigates bullet holes in the side of a home on Talequah St. in St. Thomas, Ont. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) Officers were canvassing door-to-door in the area and the forensic team had a metal detector scanning the grass next to the home. Neighbours tell CTV News that a couple in either their late 20s or early 30s live in the home. Police believe this to be a targeted incident and as of Tuesday morning, no injuries have been reported. Police have not made any arrests and they are trying to determine what happened. 'We're in the early stages,' says Wakefield. 'We are asking members of the public if they have any information around that time of 1:45 a.m. this morning in this area, to contact police. They can submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers or use our QR code that's been posted on our website and social media to add any information they may have.' allen elliott - ctv Allen Elliott speaks with CTV News on June 17, 2025. (Brent Lale/CTV News London) Wakefield says new technology is in place to help the public submit tips to STPS during a major investigation. 'It allows members of the community to directly provide camera video information to police that pertains directly to the incident,' she says. 'The QR code is tagged with the incident number and goes directly to those investigating within our police service.' As police and neighbours try to determine what happened, Elliot remains stunned. 'It's pretty quiet,' he says of his dead-end street. 'We rarely get any activity here at all. The odd ambulance, but this is certainly a first. I imagine it's a first for a lot of the areas in Saint Thomas. It's a pretty quiet town'.
