Executive Summary
- Hamilton Police charged two suspects following an investigation that began with arson and expanded to elder abuse.
- Investigators allege the elderly victim faced forcible confinement, physical assaults, and threats over a prolonged period.
- Police recovered stolen vehicles and proceeds of crime during the execution of search warrants.
- The accused, Nicholas Tomasetti and Kayla Harris, face a multitude of charges ranging from arson to assault with a weapon.
Hamilton Police have charged two individuals with severe offenses, including elder abuse, arson, and forcible confinement, following a multi-faceted investigation that began with suspicious fires and uncovered a pattern of alleged violence and theft. According to a news release from the Hamilton Police Service, the inquiry was led by the Break and Enter, Auto Theft and Robbery (B.E.A.R.) Unit.
Authorities stated that the investigation commenced in January 2026, when officers charged two suspects in connection with deliberately set fires at a Hamilton residence. Following the initial arrests, one of the accused was released from custody but subsequently breached court-imposed release conditions, prompting further police scrutiny.
Investigators allege that continued inquiries into the arson case revealed evidence of the prolonged abuse of an elderly individual. Through witness statements and the execution of search warrants, police gathered information suggesting the victim had been subjected to repeated physical assaults, forcible confinement, threats, and the use of weapons over an extended period.
Further searches of properties associated with the accused resulted in the recovery of stolen vehicles and proceeds of crime. Police examinations determined that several vehicle identification numbers had been altered or re-identified. Nicholas Tomasetti, 28, and Kayla Harris, 23, both of Hamilton, face numerous charges. Tomasetti is charged with four counts of arson, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement, and uttering threats to cause death, among other offenses. Harris faces charges including arson, assault with a weapon, and forcible confinement.
Investigative Outlook
Law enforcement officials have characterized the incidents as targeted, indicating there is no broader risk to the general public at this time. The expansion of the case from a property crime investigation into a violent crimes inquiry underscores the complex nature of the allegations involving the B.E.A.R. Unit. Police anticipate additional charges related to the recovered vehicles as the investigation remains active. It is important to note that Nicholas Tomasetti and Kayla Harris are presumed innocent of all charges until proven guilty in a court of law.
