My first arrest

My first arrest happened when I was 16 years old in the last week of June 1991. A short time earlier, I had befriended someone from Chinatown who had connections to the triads (Chinese mafia). We got along well and came up with the idea of shoplifting and then on-selling designer clothes to them. It was not about the money; it was about winning their favour (and, for me, gaining their protection). On the day that I got arrested, my friend and I went in the afternoon to a downtown Toronto department store. I had a “booster” bag which I would use to conceal the goods. My friend was there to keep a watchful eye. All went smoothly. However, as we exited the store, we were approached by two buffed persons who identified themselves as security. I looked at my friend, panicked, and yelled “run!” I ran onto the street as fast as I could and dropped the bag, and thought that would be that. However, security continued to pursue me (allowing my friend to flee). After a chase of about 50 metres, I felt the arms of one of them grab me from behind. I fought him with all…

77 River Street

77 River Street in Toronto is the address of my old probation centre. I had bimonthly (twice a month) meetings there from age 16 to 18 back in the 1990s. The probation officer that was assigned to me after my second case ("PV") had recommended to the Crown that I spend six months in closed custody. PV had a bachelor's degree in criminology & psychology but held many misinformed views about me. When the judge ruled to allow me to perform community service in lieu of jail time, PV felt affronted. When I was assigned a community service officer (CSO), both PV and the CSO (who was part of PV's network) doubted my ability to complete the hours on time. I "volunteered" at a Red Cross office. The manager (who did not know that I was doing my deed as part of probation) liked my work and provided highly positive feedback of me to the CSO. I finished my hours quickly. PV did not show up for the last several meetings I was supposed to have with her. I had completed all the requirements of probation long before then, and each subsequent meeting made her eat the proverbial crow. In…