One: six foot, slim build, silver braces in mouth, bandana. Two: black jean jacket with a photo on the bottom right portion of the jacket.” It was 11:24 p.m. In his unmarked car, plainclothes constable Shane Groombridge held the wheel with his left hand and with his right scribbled the information relayed by dispatch in his notebook on the seat as he drove along Concession Street. Details of the suspects pretty vague, he thought — except for the silver braces. He had listened to the initial radio chatter about an assault at O’Grady’s Roadhouse. He heard urgency in the voice of the officer on scene. Speed up the ambulance. “Hotel three-five-two responding,” Groombridge said into his radio. “Heading to the area to look for suspects.” That night Groombridge was working a night shift with the HEAT unit. High Enforcement Action Team officers investigate property crimes, stolen cars, gangs — whatever might be plaguing the community.
