This article was previously published on EloraFergusToday.
A police tip about a hidden car ultimately led to last year’s convictions in the 2008 hit and run collision death of Alma’s Lucas Shortreed.
On Thursday, OPP announced it has paid a $50,000 reward to the tipster.
'I've had tips that seemed more concrete throughout the years that never panned out, so I was skeptical, but guardedly optimistic,' Det. Const. Dave Telfer said in a post on the OPP website.
“Being able to payout the $50,000 reward shows that people with information can truly benefit by coming forward,” added Sup. Jennifer Spurrell.
After 14 years of searching, the #OPP closes the case and issues a $50,000 reward for a critical tip in solving the fatal hit and run of 18-year-old Lucas Shortreed. Read the full story https://t.co/hLOm1bStGg pic.twitter.com/e3vPUY5MpM
— Ontario Provincial Police (@OPP_News) January 4, 2024
Shortreed, 18, was hit by a car and left for dead as he walked home from a party on Wellington Road 17 the night of Oct. 10, 2008. He was discovered by another driver a short time later and pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.
Investigation determined he was struck by a white, 1995 Dodge Neon which led OPP to check hundreds of registered Neons in the region, followed by the public offering of a $50,000 reward for information that led to a conviction in the case.
During the following 14 years, investigators received more than 100 tips from the public, the OPP post explains. Then in June of 2022, a tip came in that broke the case open and led to the discovery of the missing suspect vehicle.
The tip resulted in OPP teams revisiting the home of David and Anastasia Halliburton where they located a white semi-trailer next to the residence. While searching the trailer, officers could see a plywood partition appearing to be held in place by a steel brace at the back of the trailer.
Through a small gap between the partition and the wall, they could see a small, four door white Neon, the post continues.
“It wasn't until I received the photo of the car from our (identification) officers that I felt a sense of relief,' Telfer is quoted as saying. “We were all pretty happy we finally found the car.”
The vehicle was seized and the Haliburtons were arrested.
A tip led to securing authorization which allowed specialized OPP teams to attend the home of David and Anastasia Halliburton where they located a white semi-trailer next to the residence.
This past September, David Halliburton pleaded guilty in a Guelph courtroom to fail to remain at the scene of an accident causing bodily harm or death and obstruction of justice. He received two-and-a-half years in prison and a three year driving ban.
His wife, Anastasia Haliburton, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and careless storage of a firearm and was given six months house arrest, 12 months probation and 200 hours of community service.
