Father, son charged in harassment case

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Broken windows. Slashed tires. Dead birds left on doorsteps. Threats. Harassment.

Junction residents have lived in fear for the past three years of two neighbourhood bullies, who would react with anger and malicious and harassing behaviour toward their victims in the Dundas Street West-Quebec Avenue area, police said.

"People are very afraid," said one area storeowner, who declined to give her name for fear of reprisal. "They act like they own the street, the neighbourhood. They're the big boss."

Vandals smashed her store's windows four times in 2005, she said, at a cost of $1,800 to $2,500 per incident.

"Even those of us not directly threatened have been warned by people who have been threatened after a misunderstanding with them to stay away from them," said one resident, who asked not to be identified.

Two men, a father and son, have been charged.

Last weekend, police arrested two men near their home, and took their dog, which is now in the custody of the humane society.

Felice Scala, 61, and Ralph Scala, 36, appeared in court Monday. Felice was released on $2,000 bail while Ralph, a former area Chinese food delivery man, had his bail hearing Tuesday.

Felice Scala's bail conditions include not being permitted anywhere near his home. He must stay outside an area bounded by Lake Ontario to the south, the Humber River to the west, Lansdowne Avenue to the east and Eglinton Avenue West to the north.

Ralph Scala remains in custody until he meets bail conditions, said Det.-Sgt. Reuben Stroble.

The men face 117 charges, including threatening damage, mischief under and over $5,000, criminal harassment and intimidating a witness.

Ralph Scala has been charged with 79 counts of fail to comply with probation.

Dozens of victims have come forward before, and during, the two-month undercover investigation by 11 Division police.

"The community got to the point where enough is enough," Stroble said. "They had the courage to stand up and say, 'this has to stop.'"

A woman in her mid-80s is among the victims.

Another victim had his new car completely vandalized with paint scratches and four punctured tires at a cost of $6,000 to repair, Stroble said. Vandals repeated the damage the first night the car returned from the body shop.

Police allege the two accused hired at least six area teens to break windows and puncture tires. Several of the teens have been arrested in recent months.

Police believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-1100 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).