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

Youngster dies after tree falls at provincial campsite in B.C.'s Okanagan region

A child has been killed in British Columbia while visiting a provincial park in the Okanagan, south of Peachland. The age of the victim was not released and BC Parks hasn't said what might have caused the tree to come down.

Youngster dies after tree falls at provincial campsite in B.C.'s Okanagan region

RCMP say six people killed in small plane crash west of Calgary

The identity of the victims have not been released, and the cause of the crash isn't yet known. RCMP Staff Sgt. Ryan Singleton told reporters at a news conference in Canmore, Alta., that all of the people on board the plane were on their way to a church function.

RCMP say six people killed in small plane crash west of Calgary

Winds play key role as wildfire continues to threaten Osoyoos, B.C.

Winds will likely be a major factor in the battle to save the southern British Columbia town of Osoyoos from a raging wildfire, but the latest forecast offers some hope. Environment Canada is calling for northwest winds through the day before gusts of 20 kilometres per hour ease late in the day.

Winds play key role as wildfire continues to threaten Osoyoos, B.C.

Breakthrough in B.C. port dispute as new tentative deal is reached

A late-night breakthrough could herald an end to British Columbia's long-running port dispute, with the longshore workers' union and the employers' association announcing a new tentative agreement. Details of the deal haven't been released, but both sides say in a joint statement issued Sunday night that they are recommending their members to ratify it.

Breakthrough in B.C. port dispute as new tentative deal is reached

Surrey RCMP looking for witnesses to alleged hit-and-run that sends one to hospital

RCMP were called to 128 Street north of 80 Avenue in the Newton area of Surrey shortly after 12:30 a.m. Saturday for reports of a hit-and-run collision involving a pedestrian. Police say a vehicle struck a man in the roadway, and took off.

Surrey RCMP looking for witnesses to alleged hit-and-run that sends one to hospital

Body found in Oak Bay identified

Police in Saanich say they have identified a man found dead under suspicious circumstances in Oak Bay as Steven Middleton. They say the 33-year-old's body was found on Wednesday in the 200-block of Beach Drive and the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit has taken over the investigation.