National

Edmonton police investigate extortions, arsons targeting South Asian community

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Jan, 2024 10:52 AM

Police say they are investigating a string of extortions targeting businesspeople in the Edmonton area's South Asian community, in which properties have been torched and shot at.

Police say they're investigating 27 events where suspects have demanded large sums of money.

Police now investigating 27 events in extortion series

The Edmonton Police Service is asking the public to come forward to report extortion and assist in identifying a suspect vehicle in a drive-by shooting connected to the recent extort… https://t.co/OayXWNChxk pic.twitter.com/FcLUZ6FQDe
— Edmonton Police (@edmontonpolice) January 18, 2024

Should those targeted not pay, police say the suspects then burn new home builds, show homes or related property.

Police say the suspects appear to know personal information of those they have targeted.

The police service says suspects have also made followup demands for more money, leading to an escalation of violence and drive-by shootings.

Police say the latest shooting involved a home last week in the Cy Becker neighbourhood, and the family inside had no record of criminal involvement.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada told allies before sharing allegations about India over B.C. killing: Trudeau

Trudeau revealed in the House of Commons on Monday that Canadian intelligence services are investigating "credible" information about "a potential link" between India's government and the death of British Columbia Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau said India's government "needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness" but would not say whether it is co-operating.

Canada told allies before sharing allegations about India over B.C. killing: Trudeau

Eby 'deeply disturbed' by CSIS briefing on Nijjar killing in Surrey, B.C.

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he's received a briefing from Canada's spy agency about the "assassination" of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and he's "deeply disturbed" by what he was told. He says he's calling on the federal government to share all information related to ongoing foreign interference and "transnational organized crime threats."

Eby 'deeply disturbed' by CSIS briefing on Nijjar killing in Surrey, B.C.

Attack on 2 shopkeepers in Chinatown: VPD

A 50-year-old man has been charged with assault after what Vancouver police say was a violent attack on two shopkeepers in the Chinatown neighbourhood. Police say the married couple, who are both in their 70s, were working in their shop last Thursday when the suspect entered and began causing a disturbance.

Attack on 2 shopkeepers in Chinatown: VPD

Removal of B.C. MLA Adam Walker from NDP caucus unrelated to police, harassment: Eby

Speaking to reporters for the first time since Walker was kicked out over the weekend, Eby says he decided the member could no longer be part of the group after a formal investigation by NDP caucus. Eby says he wishes he could share more but rules related to human resources and privacy prevent him going into specifics about the accusations, which are not a criminal matter.

Removal of B.C. MLA Adam Walker from NDP caucus unrelated to police, harassment: Eby

Monthly bills to decrease: Fortis BC

The utility says it will amount to about $7 a month in savings for residential customers, depending on a customer’s consumption. Joe Mazza, vice-president of energy supply at Fortis, says the decrease will provide customers with some financial relief as they head into the colder fall and winter months.

Monthly bills to decrease: Fortis BC

Harinder Singh Sihota arrested in car crashes

38-year-old Harinder Singh Sihota is in custody as police in Surrey and Delta investigate a series of violent events that included a break-in, assault and several car crashes. Surrey R-C-M-P say it began with a break-in Saturday night at a home in northwest Surrey and the assault of several people in the house.