Months-long Hunt for Human Trafficking Suspect Hamilton Police Called Dangerous' Ended in Bowmanvill

The Durham Regional Police Service tactical team struggled with Alijah Weir-Mohammed before making the arrest at a home on Clayton Crescent that morning, says Durham media officer Const. George Tudos.

Police had gone to the home the night before looking for him, with no luck. They returned early the next day and were able to make the arrest.

Weir-Mohammed's long list of Hamilton charges involve four victims, including minors, who were allegedly trafficked throughout southern Ontario. Police have previously said they believe there are more victims.

Weir-Mohammed, 23, of no fixed address, has yet to make a court appearance in Hamilton on the following charges: assault causing bodily harm, two counts of assault, forcible confinement, three counts of sexual assault, sexual exploitation, two counts of trafficking in persons, uttering threats, theft under $5,000, two counts of mischief under $5,000, two counts of advertising sexual services, destroying documents, three counts of using a stolen credit card, two counts of benefitting from sexual services and procuring for sexual services.

The charges stem from incidents in November and December. Weir-Mohammed was known to frequent Hamilton.

Five days before Christmas, the Hamilton Police Human Trafficking Unit issued a news release asking for the public's help to find Weir-Mohammed. The release included photos of him - including shots of tattoos on his arms and hands - and said he was considered dangerous.

A couple of days after the arrest warrant for Weir-Mohammed was made public, a tip led police to stop and search a GO train at Aldershot station and a GO bus at the Casablanca Boulevard exit on the Niagara-bound QEW. However the wanted man was not found.

Durham Police have laid 19 charges of their own, including human trafficking and procuring, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, sexual assault and making child pornography. The accused man's alleged victims from that jurisdiction are aged 14, 15 and 19.

Police say Weir-Mohammed also uses the aliases Mike, Q, M.K. Mason, Alina Mercer, Alina Mohammad, M.K. Young, Alijah Wei, MYKAH and A.J.

905-526-3539 | @susanclairmont

905-526-3539 | @susanclairmont