OPP officer charged with fraud after probe into Wayne Gretzk

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OPP officer charged with fraud after probe into Wayne Gretzk

Postby Thomas » Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:48 am

OPP officer charged with fraud after probe into Wayne Gretzky memorabilia theft

A senior Ontario Provincial Police officer is one of two people arrested as a result of an investigation into thefts of memorabilia from Wayne Gretzky’s childhood home in Brantford.

OPP spokesman Bill Dickson confirmed Wednesday evening that Inspector June Dobson, the commander of the force’s Grenville detachment, has been charged with fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust.

He said that Dobson is on a leave of absence unrelated to the case. The reason cannot be disclosed because of privacy guidelines, a statement issued by the OPP said.

On Tuesday, Brantford police revealed that they had been contacted in August by the Gretzky family when valuable items were found to be missing from the home of Walter Gretzky, the father of the Hall of Fame hockey player.

An investigation was undertaken, during which it was discovered that some of the items had been sold to collectors across Canada. Because multiple jurisdictions were involved, assistance was sought from the RCMP and OPP.

Search warrants were issued for residences where it was believed stolen property was located, and on Dec. 8 items were seized from five homes in Ontario and Alberta. Among the items was the plaque given to Gretzky for winning the 1983-84 Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most-valuable player, his jersey from the 1997 all-star game, a sweater he wore while playing for the Los Angeles Kings, and autographed game-used sticks and pairs of game-worn gloves.

Brantford police did not identify the two individuals arrested, but said one was as a 58-year-old man from Oakville and the other a 58-year-old woman from Brockville, Ont. The OPP verified Dobson’s identity while saying its officers are held to a higher standard than other citizens.

“The OPP treats and investigates police officers accused of breaking the law in the same manner as it investigates any other individual,” its statement said. “Criminal investigations of OPP officers are the responsibility of the police service of jurisdiction, but the OPP Professional Standards Unit opens a parallel, non-criminal investigation after the criminal investigation is resolved.“

Officers found to have broken the law are subject to additional disciplinary proceedings, including possible demotion and dismissal, depending on the circumstances, the statement said.

The OPP said that evidence of fraud involving a second individual related to the Gretzky memorabilia was uncovered during the initial investigation, but the charges against Dobson were not related to the larger investigation for theft. The two did not know one another, a news release said.

Brantford police said the male has been charged with theft over $5,000 and possession over $5,000. The investigation is ongoing. None of the charges have been proven in court.

Glen Gretzky, Wayne’s brother and a family spokesman, said they are thankful for the efforts of all the officers involved.

“On behalf of our family, I would like to thank [everyone] for everything they have done,” Glen Gretzky said in a statement released by Brantford police. “I would like to sincerely thank every member of the team. The professionalism, dedication and support they have shown has been greatly appreciated.”

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/ ... e-gretzky/
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High-ranking Ontario Provincial Police officer charged in co

Postby Thomas » Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:51 am

High-ranking Ontario Provincial Police officer charged in connection with theft of Wayne Gretzky memorabilia

There's been an unusual twist in one of the highest-profile heists of the year in Canada.

This morning, CTV News reported that the commander of an Ontario Provincial Police detachment in Grenville, June Dobson, has been charged with fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust.

It's in connection with a Wayne Gretzky hockey stick that was stolen from his 82-year-old father Walter Gretzky's home in Brantford, Ontario.

Another 58-year-old man from Oakville is charged with theft over $5,000 and possession over $5,000, according to a Brantford Police Service news release.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.

Police say they've recovered Gretzky memorabilia valued at more than US$500,000.

This included sticks that he used in games, hockey gloves, pants, jerseys, and a Player-of-the-Year award.

It followed a three-month investigation involving Brantford police, the RCMP, and the OPP.

Search warrants have been executed at homes in Ontario and Alberta.

Wayne Gretzky has said in the past that his father is his role model, teacher, and biggest fan. And the son is his father's biggest fan as well.

"He was always there for me, flooding the rink in our backyard, driving me to practice, pushing me to be the best, and believing in me," Wayne Gretzky said in advance of Father's Day in 2018. "I imagine there are many dads just like him across Canada, let's celebrate them all."

Walter Gretzky suffered a severe stroke in 1991 and his wife Phyllis died in 2005. In recent years, he's been suffering from Parkinson's disease.

"When Walter meets someone, he’s usually smiling and joking and taking as much interest in you as you have in him," wrote Hockey News scribe Ken Campbell after the arrests were announced.

"He’s the kind of person who prefers to see the good in everyone, and wouldn’t hesitate for a minute to open his home and his heart to people. And that’s what makes this all so troubling. If Walter had simply wanted to make money, he could have sold any number of his son’s artifacts for ridiculous sums. But he chose to keep it, likely because he saw it as something of a public trust."

https://www.straight.com/news/high-rank ... t-of-wayne
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OPP officer charged with fraud after Gretzky theft

Postby Thomas » Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:55 am

An Ontario police officer is facing fraud charges after an investigation into the theft of Wayne Gretzky memorabilia from the home of the hockey legend's father.

Police say a three-month probe into the theft uncovered an alleged fraud involving a Gretzky hockey stick.

A spokeswoman for the Ontario Provincial Police says Insp. June Dobson is facing fraud charges in the case.

Staff Sgt. Carolle Dionne says Dobson was already on an unrelated paid leave of absence when the charges were announced Tuesday.

Police in Brantford, Ont., announced that they arrested a 58-year-old Oakville, Ont., man and a 58-year-old Brockville, Ont., woman, but did not name them.

The arrests came after an investigation following the theft of approximately US$500,000 worth of memorabilia from the home of Walter Gretzky.

Brantford police say that during the investigation they uncovered evidence of someone - unrelated to the theft - allegedly committing fraud involving a Gretzky hockey stick.

Dobson is facing charges of fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust.

She was the detachment commander of the Grenville, Ont., OPP detachment.

The as-yet unnamed Oakville man is charged with theft over $5,000 and possession over $5,000.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2020.

By The Canadian Press

https://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-s ... zky-theft/

https://www.newhamburgindependent.ca/ne ... zky-theft/
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OPP officer charged with fraud after probe into Gretzky memo

Postby Thomas » Sat Dec 19, 2020 9:57 am

OPP officer charged with fraud after probe into Gretzky memorabilia theft

An Ontario police officer is facing fraud charges after an investigation into the theft of Wayne Gretzky memorabilia from the home of the hockey legend’s father.

Police say a three-month probe into the theft uncovered an alleged fraud involving a Gretzky hockey stick.

A spokeswoman for the Ontario Provincial Police says Insp. June Dobson is facing fraud charges in the case.

Staff Sgt. Carolle Dionne says Dobson was already on an unrelated paid leave of absence when the charges were announced Tuesday.

Police in Brantford, Ont., announced that they arrested a 58-year-old Oakville, Ont., man and a 58-year-old Brockville, Ont., woman, but did not name them.

The arrests came after an investigation following the theft of approximately US$500,000 worth of memorabilia from the home of Walter Gretzky.

Brantford police say that during the investigation they uncovered evidence of someone - unrelated to the theft - allegedly committing fraud involving a Gretzky hockey stick.

Dobson is facing charges of fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust.

She was the detachment commander of the Grenville, Ont., OPP detachment.

The as-yet unnamed Oakville man is charged with theft over $5,000 and possession over $5,000.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2020.

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Gretzky Memorabilia Theft Case Results in 2 Arrests

Postby Thomas » Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:01 am

Less than a week after a Wayne Gretzky O-Pee-Chee rookie card became the first hockey card to break the $1 million barrier, two arrests have been made in connection with the theft of the Great One’s memorabilia.

The Brantford Police Service (BPS) announced that arrests were made on Dec. 15, 2020, after a joint investigation between the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

“As the lead agency in this multi-jurisdictional investigation, the Brantford Police Service is thankful for the assistance provided by our valued partners; the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as well as the additional assistance from the Halton Regional Police Service,” said Chief Rob Davis of the BPS. “As a result of the work of our skilled investigators, over $500,000 USD in Gretzky memorabilia was successfully recovered.”

In August, the memorabilia was stolen from the basement of Walter Gretzky, Wayne’s father, at his home in Brantford ON. After some items were discovered missing, the Gretzky family contacted the BPS, who launched the investigation and quickly discovered that several of the items taken from the home had been sold to various collectors across Canada.

2 Arrested

A 58-year-old male from Oakville, ON, west of Toronto, is charged with theft over $5,000 and possession over $5,000 and a 58-year-old female from Brockville, ON is charged with fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust. The female charged is June Dobson.

Police investigated the case for three months and on Dec. 8, 2020, BPS officers, OPP and RCMP, with assistance from the Halton Regional Police Service, executed search warrants at five homes across Ontario and Alberta.

Police were able to locate much of the stolen memorabilia including a number of game-used sticks, jerseys, pants, hockey gloves, and a 1983-84 Player-of-the-Year Award.

Gretzky Family Thanks Police

“On behalf of our family, I would like to thank the Brantford Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for everything they have done regarding this investigation,” said Glen Gretzky, a representative of the Gretzky family. “I would like to sincerely thank every member of the team; the professionalism, dedication and support they have shown has been greatly appreciated.”

The home of Walter Gretzky first became home to his son’s memorabilia in the 1960s. Mr. Gretzky saved all of his son’s numerous awards, trophies, skates, jerseys and photos when Wayne was a minor hockey phenom in Brantford. The basement has had some facelifts through the years to accommodate the multitudes of memorabilia Wayne sent home to his family.

Kevin Smith takes us on a tour of Walter Gretzky’s basement.

“I have always had an appreciation for memorabilia, and I have always sent items that I thought were important home to my father,” Gretzky said during a 1993 interview.

That year, Gretzky opened his landmark restaurant in Toronto that was jam-packed with memorabilia and was a must-see for sports fans. “The memorabilia in the restaurant all came from my father’s basement,” Gretzky said in the same interview. “There isn’t room at the house for everything, so we went through and selected some items that we thought people would want to see.”

The restaurant closed in October 2020. The building is being knocked down to make way for a 47-story condominium tower. Specauctions.com is currently hosting an online auction with a number of items and souvenirs up for sale to Gretzky collectors. Proceeds from the auction are going to charity.

OPP Investigator Charged With Fraud

During the investigation, police uncovered evidence that led to the second arrest.

“I can confirm that June Dobson is the individual from Brockville charged in this investigation. I can also confirm that Inspector Dobson is the Detachment Commander of the Grenville OPP,” said Grenville County OPP spokesman Bill Dickson in an e-mailed statement. “While Inspector Dobson was on duty when the alleged incidents took place, she is currently on unrelated leave. We cannot speak to the reasons for her leave due to privacy guidelines.”
Dobson is a friend of the Gretzky family and according to BPS, she sold a Gretzky autographed stick while misrepresenting it as game-used.

“The charges against Inspector June Dobson are not related to the larger theft investigation,” Dickson added. “During the course of the initial investigation, police uncovered evidence, unrelated to the initial investigation, that a separate individual is believed to have committed fraud involving Gretzky memorabilia.”

Wayne Gretzky discusses signing memorabilia at an Upper Deck Authenticated signing in 2013.
Gretzky has had a relationship with the Upper Deck Company as its hockey spokesman for close to 30 years. Upper Deck Authenticated has had an exclusive memorabilia and autograph deal with Gretzky for close to a decade.

“He is part of our Upper Deck family and he remains at the forefront of our trading card and memorabilia products,” said Upper Deck Hockey Brand Manager Paul Zickler. “Even though he has been retired for 20 years, he is still extremely popular and remains the most sought after player in hockey among collectors of cards and memorabilia.”

Industry experts warn collectors to make sure that any piece of memorabilia from Gretzky or any other NHL superstar are purchased from a reliable source and are properly verified and come with a certificate of authenticity.

https://thehockeywriters.com/gretzky-me ... t-arrests/
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Grenville OPP detachment commander charged in stolen Gretzky

Postby Thomas » Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:04 am

Grenville OPP detachment commander charged in stolen Gretzky memorabilia investigation

Insp. June Dobson charged with Fraud over $5,000 and Breach of Trust

Police in Ontario say Grenville Detachment Commander Insp. June Dobson is facing charges in connection with missing Wayne Gretzky memorabilia.

Charges of fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust are the result of a three-month investigation launched by the Brantford Police Service after members of the Gretzky family contacted them.

In August, the Gretzky family reported several pieces of Wayne Gretzky hockey memorabilia missing from his father Walter’s home.

Early on, police determined that several of the missing items had most likely been sold to collectors across the country, at which time they enlisted the aid of the RCMP and the Ontario Provincial Police.

On Dec. 8, the three police forces along with the Halton Regional Police Service executed search warrants at five homes in Ontario and Alberta.

Multiple game-used sticks, hockey, gloves, pants, jersey’s and a player of the year award were recovered by police.

“As a result of the work of our skilled investigators, over US$500,000 in Gretzky memorabilia was successfully recovered,” a statement by Brantford Police Chief Rob Davis read.

A 58 year-old-man from Oakville has also been charged with theft over $5,000 and possession over $5,000 in relation to the case.

Brantford police say the investigation is ongoing.

https://thewolf.ca/news/7527112/grenvil ... morabilia/

https://ottawa.citynews.ca/police-beat/ ... on-3188697
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OPP officer charged in connection with alleged theft of Wayn

Postby Thomas » Sat Dec 19, 2020 10:05 am

OPP officer charged in connection with alleged theft of Wayne Gretzky memorabilia

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) say an inspector with the service is facing fraud charges in connection with the alleged theft of Wayne Gretzky sports memorabilia in Brantford, Ont.

OPP in Grenville say the charges are part of a joint investigation with Brantford police that led to the recent recovery of over $500,000 worth of items from the home of Gretzky’s father Walter Gretzky.

“During the course of the initial investigation, police uncovered evidence, unrelated to the initial investigation, that a separate individual is believed to have committed fraud involving Gretzky memorabilia,” OPP spokesperson Bill Dickson told Global News.

OPP inspector June Dobson from Brockville is facing fraud charges. Dickson said Dobson is the detachment commander of the Grenville OPP.

“While Inspector Dobson was on duty when the alleged incidents took place, she is currently on unrelated leave. We cannot speak to the reasons for her leave due to privacy guidelines,” Dickson said.

On Tuesday, Brantford police revealed they had charged a 58-year-old woman from Brockville with fraud over $5,000 in connection to an “unrelated” case of a missing Gretzky hockey stick.

A 58-year-old-man from Oakville is facing charges of theft over $5,000 and possession over $5,000 in connection with the initial investigation.

The Gretzky family contacted police in August after discovering several missing items from their family residence in Brantford.

Investigators believe several of the items had likely been sold to various collectors across Canada.

The three-month investigation included assistance from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Game-used sticks, hockey gloves, pants and jerseys and a Wayne Gretzky player-of-the-year award were some of the items taken, according to detectives.

Brantford police say the investigation is ongoing.

https://globalnews.ca/news/7525511/opp- ... morabilia/
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Wayne Gretzky, a senior OPP officer in eastern Ontario, face

Postby Thomas » Thu Dec 24, 2020 4:12 am

Wayne Gretzky, a senior OPP officer in eastern Ontario, faces charges of fraud linked to memories

OTTAWA – Way Gretzky, a senior Ontario provincial police officer from eastern Ontario, is facing fraud charges after months of investigation into allegations that the hockey star’s father stole items from his home.

OPP spokesman Bill Dixon confirmed Tuesday night to CTV News Ottawa that June Dobson was one of the people charged after being arrested by police. Walter Gretz in Brantford, Camel, was charged with burglary. Dixon confirmed that Inspector Dobson was the detachment commander of the Grenville OPP.

According to a Brantford police media release Sent on Tuesday, the 58-year-old Oakville man was arrested and charged with more than $ 5,000 theft and more than $ 5,000 seizure. A 58-year-old Brockville woman has been arrested and charged with more than $ 5,000 in fraud and breach of trust.

Brantford police valued the goods at $ 500,000.

Dixon, however, said Dobson’s allegations came after new, unrelated evidence emerged.

“The charges against Inspector June Dobson are not related to a major burglary investigation. During the preliminary investigation, police found evidence unrelated to the preliminary investigation that a particular person is believed to have committed fraud with Gretzky’s memoirs,” Dixon said.

Dixon adds that while Inspector Dobson was on duty at the time of the alleged incidents, she was currently on unrelated leave.

Dixon said in a special email statement that Inspector Dobson was given a letter informing her that she would be suspended if she returned to work.

“The OPP Professional Standards Unit also opens an internal police services law investigation into misconduct,” Dixon said.

In August, the Gretzky family contacted the Brantford Police Service to find that several sports memorabilia had not been found from Walter Gretzky’s home.

The RCMP and OPP assisted the Brantford Police Service during the three-month investigation. Brantford police did not immediately identify the culprits but said they were known to the Gretzky family.

Police say the investigation has allowed police to identify specific residences believed to be stolen property.

https://queenscitizen.ca/2020/12/16/way ... -memories/

https://theturtleislandnews.com/index.p ... morabilia/
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Wayne Gretzky, a senior OPP officer in eastern Ontario, face

Postby Thomas » Sun Jan 03, 2021 9:35 am

Wayne Gretzky, a senior OPP officer in eastern Ontario, faces charges of fraud linked to memories

OTTAWA – Way Gretzky, a senior Ontario provincial police officer from eastern Ontario, is facing fraud charges after months of investigation into allegations that the hockey star’s father stole items from his home.

OPP spokesman Bill Dixon confirmed Tuesday night to CTV News Ottawa that June Dobson was one of the people charged after being arrested by police. Walter Gretz in Brantford, Camel, was charged with burglary. Dixon confirmed that Inspector Dobson was the detachment commander of the Grenville OPP.

According to a Brantford police media release Sent on Tuesday, the 58-year-old Oakville man was arrested and charged with more than $ 5,000 theft and more than $ 5,000 seizure. A 58-year-old Brockville woman has been arrested and charged with more than $ 5,000 in fraud and breach of trust.

Brantford police valued the goods at $ 500,000.

Dixon, however, said Dobson’s allegations came after new, unrelated evidence emerged.

“The charges against Inspector June Dobson are not related to a major burglary investigation. During the preliminary investigation, police found evidence unrelated to the preliminary investigation that a particular person is believed to have committed fraud with Gretzky’s memoirs,” Dixon said.

Dixon adds that while Inspector Dobson was on duty at the time of the alleged incidents, she was currently on unrelated leave.

Dixon said in a special email statement that Inspector Dobson was given a letter informing her that she would be suspended if she returned to work.

“The OPP Professional Standards Unit also opens an internal police services law investigation into misconduct,” Dixon said.

In August, the Gretzky family contacted the Brantford Police Service to find that several sports memorabilia had not been found from Walter Gretzky’s home.

The RCMP and OPP assisted the Brantford Police Service during the three-month investigation. Brantford police did not immediately identify the culprits but said they were known to the Gretzky family.

Police say the investigation has allowed police to identify specific residences believed to be stolen property.

https://queenscitizen.ca/2020/12/16/way ... -memories/
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OPP OFFICER CHARGED WITH FRAUD AFTER PROBE INTO GRETZKY MEMO

Postby Thomas » Sun Jan 03, 2021 9:36 am

OPP OFFICER CHARGED WITH FRAUD AFTER PROBE INTO GRETZKY MEMORABILIA THEFT

An Ontario police officer is facing fraud charges after an investigation into the theft of Wayne Gretzky memorabilia from the home of the hockey legend's father.

Police say a three-month probe into the theft uncovered an alleged fraud involving a Gretzky hockey stick.

A spokeswoman for the Ontario Provincial Police says Insp. June Dobson is facing fraud charges in the case.

Staff Sgt. Carolle Dionne says Dobson was already on an unrelated paid leave of absence when the charges were announced Tuesday.

Police in Brantford, announced that they arrested a 58-year-old Oakville, man and a 58-year-old Brockville, woman, but did not name them.

The arrests came after an investigation following the theft of approximately US$500,000 worth of memorabilia from the home of Walter Gretzky.

Brantford police say that during the investigation they uncovered evidence of someone - unrelated to the theft - allegedly committing fraud involving a Gretzky hockey stick.

Dobson is facing charges of fraud over $5,000 and breach of trust.

She was the detachment commander of the Grenville, Ont., OPP detachment.

The as-yet unnamed Oakville man is charged with theft over $5,000 and possession over $5,000.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

https://www.iheartradio.ca/610cktb/news ... 1.14178698
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