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

More ads coming as Conservatives plot path to make Poilievre the next prime minister

More than 2,000 Conservatives are in Quebec City for the party's convention, and will hear directly from Poilievre himself when he takes the stage Friday night. The mood at the convention is buoyant, following a number of polls that show the party with a considerable lead over the governing Liberals.

More ads coming as Conservatives plot path to make Poilievre the next prime minister

Trudeau to have pull-aside with Modi on sidelines of G20

The Canadian delegation sought a meeting with Modi during the annual meeting of the world's largest economies, but Sunday's 10-minute meeting wasn't confirmed until after Trudeau landed Friday in New Delhi. India, now the world's most populous country, is featured prominently in the Indo-Pacific, a region Canada is seeking to expand its trade reach and reduce the influence of China.

Trudeau to have pull-aside with Modi on sidelines of G20

Boat fire injures one, sends plume of smoke over Vancouver's False Creek

Fire has damaged a roughly 10 metre pleasure craft, one of the many small boats that moor long-term in Vancouver's False Creek. Vancouver Fire and Rescue asst. chief Ken Gemmill says a man may have been cooking when the fire broke out about 5:30 p.m., Thursday, in the waters off David Lam Park in Yaletown.

Boat fire injures one, sends plume of smoke over Vancouver's False Creek

Motorcyclist badly hurt

Shortly after 4 p.m. on September 1, Richmond RCMP, responded to the area of Blundell Road near Minoru Boulevard after reports of a downed motorcyclist. The motorcycle operator, a 63-year old male from Richmond was located some distance away from his blue Honda. He received emergency care at the scene and was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Motorcyclist badly hurt

Vancouver manslaughter conviction

Jeff Arnie Lincoln, 41, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced on August 30th, following a Vancouver Police investigation that began more than two years earlier, when Lincoln assaulted 60-year-old Gilles Hebert in Grandview Park, near Commercial Drive and Charles Street. Hebert was taken to hospital and later died from his injuries.

Vancouver manslaughter conviction

Prince George, B.C., explosion linked to pipe theft, gas buildup in structure: RCMP

Police say the explosion that destroyed a building in downtown Prince George, B.C., last month was likely caused by "unauthorized" people who broke into the property and were unaware of a natural-gas buildup inside. Prince George RCMP say fire investigators have determined there is evidence of copper pipe theft, causing damage to at least one natural gas line.