Toronto officer accused of stealing deceased person's wallet, luxury watch appears in court
A Toronto police officer accused of stealing a deceased person's credit and debit cards, as well as a luxury watch, asserted his innocence in court on Tuesday.
About two years ago, on the evening of Feb. 18, 2022, Toronto Police Service Const. Boris Borissov was called to investigate the apartment of a missing man, where he discovered a suicide note upon arrival.
As they continued searching the home, Borissov found an empty box for a Tag Heuer watch. His phone records reveal he Googled the brand’s name shortly after.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
"I saw the empty watch box, and I was curious about watches," Borissov told the court on Tuesday.
Photos of a Tag Heuer watch, however, were taken on Borissov's phone later that same evening. Borissov assured the court it was "absolutely not" the watch from the deceased man's home.
"It's a photo of the watch," he said. "This is a watch that I had in my house."
Two months later, in April 2022, Borissov was also charged for allegedly taking a credit card linked to a separate missing person and giving it to a man, identified as Zvedzdomir Mollov, who subsequently used it to make a purchase at a Mississauga store. Following further investigation, police then discovered the officer and man fraudulently obtained vehicles together using the stolen credit card from the missing man, who was later found deceased.
On Tuesday, the court heard how Borissov found the deceased's wallet inside a jacket. He told the court he was concerned the wind that day would "blow the jacket away," which prompted him to bring the coat to his scout car. The TD credit card and American Express card, however, were later discovered at Mollov's home.
Borissov repeatedly denied stealing the cards when he was asked by his lawyer, Joanne Mulcahy. He also denied ever giving Mollov the cards.
As for how these stolen items made it to Mollov's home, Borissov said the "best [he] can think of" is that they had fallen inside his vehicle after he walked to Mollov's car to get himself a sandwich while he had the deceased's wallet.
Borissov pleaded not guilty to charges of theft, fraud, breach of trust by an official, obstruction of justice, and unauthorized use of a computer system. The police veteran of 16-years has been suspended with pay since February 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump threatens to try to take back the Panama Canal. Panama's president balks at the suggestion
Donald Trump suggested Sunday that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal that the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, contending that shippers are charged “ridiculous” fees to pass through the vital transportation channel linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Man handed 5th distracted driving charge for using cell phone on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa
An Ottawa driver was charged for using a cell phone behind the wheel on Sunday, the fifth time he has faced distracted driving charges.
Wrongfully convicted N.B. man has mixed feelings since exoneration
Robert Mailman, 76, was exonerated on Jan. 4 of a 1983 murder for which he and his friend Walter Gillespie served lengthy prison terms.
Can the Governor General do what Pierre Poilievre is asking? This expert says no
A historically difficult week for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government ended with a renewed push from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre to topple this government – this time in the form a letter to the Governor General.
opinion Christmas movies for people who don't like Christmas movies
The holidays can bring up a whole gamut of emotions, not just love and goodwill. So CTV film critic Richard Crouse offers up a list of Christmas movies for people who might not enjoy traditional Christmas movies.
More than 7,000 Jeep SUVs recalled in Canada over camera display concern
A software issue potentially affecting the rearview camera display in select Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee models has prompted a recall of more than 7,000 vehicles.
'I'm still thinking pinch me': lost puppy reunited with family after five years
After almost five years of searching and never giving up hope, the Tuffin family received the best Christmas gift they could have hoped for: being reunited with their long-lost puppy.
10 hospitalized after carbon monoxide poisoning in Ottawa's east end
The Ottawa Police Service says ten people were taken to hospital, with one of them in life-threatening condition, after being exposed to carbon monoxide in the neighbourhood of Vanier on Sunday morning.
New York City police apprehend suspect in the death of a woman found on fire in a subway car
New York City police announced Sunday they have in custody a “person of interest” in the early morning death of a woman who they believe may have fallen asleep on a stationary subway train before being intentionally lit on fire by a man she didn't know.