Hamilton police say a 32-year-old man who vanished when he took two men on a test drive in his pickup truck is still missing, even though a Toronto man has been arrested and charged in the case.
Police announced the arrest of one of two suspects Saturday afternoon, as police officers in multiple communities continue to search for Timothy (Tim) Bosma. One of the searches is focusing on the Oak Park Road area in Brantford, where Bosma's cellphone was found.
At a news conference, Hamilton police Supt. Dan Kinsella said investigators are still hopeful that they will find Bosma alive.
"There’s always hope. We hold out hope through the course of our investigation," Kinsella told reporters.
Kinsella said he does not have any information about whether police have located Bosma's truck.
Kinsella and Hamilton police Chief Glenn De Caire renewed the police service’s appeal for tips, and assured Bosma’s family and the public that they have devoted all available resources to finding Bosma and the second suspect.
Police have received hundreds of tips from the public.
“This is a great community that has rallied in support of finding Tim,” De Caire told reporters. “In Hamilton, a crime against one is a crime against all.”
Bosma has been missing since Monday at about 9:20 p.m. when he left his family’s Ancaster home with two unknown men who showed up to test drive his black 2007 Dodge Ram 3500 with Ontario licence plate 726 7ZW.
Bosma listed the truck for sale in an online ad, and the test drive was arranged when he was contacted by telephone.
Bosma told his wife, Sharlene, that the two men were from Toronto.
Police found Bosma’s cellphone Thursday in an industrial area in west Brantford. The truck was spotted in Brantford's downtown area Monday at about 10:10 p.m., roughly an hour after Bosma, the father of a two-year-old girl, departed his home.
Bosma's cellphone was turned off shortly after he left the house, police said.
After finding Bosma’s cellphone, police were able to identify the cellphone number they believe the suspects used to call Bosma.
That cellphone was purchased about three months ago under a fake name, and it was used the day before Bosma vanished, police said.
Investigators believe the same two men test drove a similar truck belonging to an Etobicoke business owner last Sunday.
The business owner told police he was suspicious of the two men but he was not harmed during the test drive.
Tattoo description may have led to arrest
The business owner provided detectives with a description of the suspects, including details about a unique tattoo. It appears that description may have led to the arrest.
Kinsella said the suspect who was arrested has the word "Ambition" tattooed within a box on his wrist, where a watch would normally be worn.
Police said Toronto resident Dellen Millard, 27, has been charged with forcible confinement and theft over $5,000.
Millard was arrested without incident as he was driving on Cawthra Road in Mississauga, Kinsella said.
Kinsella said police believe Millard was the driver involved in the Etobicoke test drive.
Police said Millard made a court appearance via video link Saturday morning. He is expected to appear back in court either Monday or Tuesday of next week to set a date for a bail hearing.
Officers are still trying to identify and locate a second suspect.
The second male was previously described as white, in his early 20’s, and five-foot-nine or five-foot-10 with a small to medium build and dark hair. He was wearing a red hooded sweatshirt with the hood over his head.
Homicide detectives are investigating because of the suspicious circumstances of Bosma’s disappearance.
Police are asking anyone with information to call a dedicated tips line at 905-546-2100 or Crime Stoppers.
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