'VERY CLOSE' FAMILY IS CRIMINAL GANG, POLICE SAY

RCMP Use 2002 Amendment To Criminal Code That Targets Organized Crime To
Lay Dozens Of Charges Against Eight Family Members, Including Distributing
Drugs, Weapons And Contraband Cigarettes

When police raided the property, they came upon a collection of ramshackle
and newer buildings. It was the sort of place, complete with a vehicle up
on blocks, found on the edge of communities all over Canada. Except for
one thing.

Standing outside the Tingley compound was a billboard done in lurid
purple. The large sign had a skull motif and bore a message warning
against loose lips: "What you see here .. What you do here ... What you
hear here ... STAYS HERE!"

This is where the Tingleys ran their auto-parts business and salvage yard.
It's on a back road on the outskirts of Salisbury, N.B., a growing village
of 2,000 gentrifying into a bedroom community for nearby Moncton.
Neighbours, while asking not to be quoted by name, said the family didn't
cause problems.

But police say that behind the facade was a family heavily involved in
local crime that intimidated potential witnesses into silence. Led by twin
brothers Rodney and Roger, the family was alleged to be a key local source
for marijuana, cocaine, OxyContin, contraband cigarettes and weapons.

"They were infamous," RCMP Staff Sergeant Robert Power said. "They were
well known in the community."

The Tingleys, who have deep roots in the area, became much more widely
known after police swooped down last month and arrested eight of them in
predawn raids.

Along with the 54-year-old twin brothers, police arrested Michael, 32,
Kevin, 30, and Chris Tingley, 25, all sons of Rodney. Also nabbed but
since released on bail were Rodney's wife Gayle, 54, Roger's wife Sharon,
49, and Michael's wife Melissa Patten, 32, who also goes by Missy Tingley.

The group faces dozens of trafficking-related charges and were the first
people in the province charged under a 2002 amendment to the Criminal Code
of Canada focusing on organized crime. If convicted, they could have to
serve their sentences consecutively.

Two weeks ago, the defendants waived their right to a preliminary hearing,
and a date for trial will be set next month. They have applied for legal
aid.

The arrests have rocked the family, which planned rummage and bake sales
to help raise money for the defence.

"I can't say that i am proud but i need your help and support," wrote a
relative publicizing a fundraiser on Facebook.

It's a far cry from the bravado some locals say the family had previously
displayed.

"Up until the day they were arrested, they were proud of it," said Stephen
Hopper, whose family has experienced multiple arson attacks, all still
under investigation.

"I could never operate another business here. The people that support
them, there's a large amount of people," he added. "If you look at what
they've been charged with, that says it all. They have a certain kind of
supporter."

Other locals speak of their relief now that most of the family is in custody.

"The people around Salisbury are terrified of them," said one woman, who
did not want to be identified.

The anonymous comments are infuriating to supporters, who paint a very
different picture of the family.

"I have never been more ashamed to live in the village of Salisbury in my
life," said Michelle Jones, the girlfriend of Chris Tingley. "If they have
these hard feelings, why are they being anonymous?"

She said she had known the family since she was a child and was "shocked"
at their characterization as dangerous people.

"Anybody who knows the Tingley family knows that they're wonderful people
[who] would help anyone who asked," she said. "Yes, they're a very close
family. Doesn't everyone want that in this day and age? That doesn't make
them an organized crime family."

Police disagree and say they have gathered evidence of a criminal
hierarchy. And in the last two years, the scope of the Tingleys' alleged
activities has pushed them to the top of the organized crime threat
assessment done annually by the province's police forces.

Organized crime is not unusual in rural areas, said Staff Sgt. Power, but
family-based groups are hard to infiltrate. Explaining why this
investigation took 14 months, he also spoke of "the grip" the Tingleys had
on the community.

"We have collected evidence ... that will demonstrate in court the depth
of influence in the community, insofar as the ability to intimidate
potential witnesses and persuade them not to talk about illegal activity,"
he said.

Salisbury, just west of Moncton, was founded before the American
revolution. A long-ago boom in fur-farming gave it the name Home of the
Silver Fox. The village is now home to numerous churches but no industry,
and many residents work in Moncton.

Reaction in the area was mixed in the aftermath of the arrests.

"I had an older gentleman come in the other day," said Amanda Tingley, who
is not related to the arrested people. "He said, 'I knew those boys
growing up and they never bothered me at all.' And others say, 'I'm glad
they're gone.' "

Along with other unrelated Tingleys in the area, she is annoyed by the
negative attention provoked by her last name. Calls to the auto repair,
towing and salvage business she runs with her husband dried up temporarily
after the arrests

"I actually had a guy call me [and] he said, 'I was going to call you last
week but I thought you were all in jail.' "