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

Hamas hostage deal 'progress' but long-term peace needs 'many more steps': Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is still rejecting demands for Canada to call for a full ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, but he says a deal to temporarily halt hostilities this week so Hamas can release hostages represents progress. Trudeau says the world needs a lasting peace in the region, including a two-state solution.

Hamas hostage deal 'progress' but long-term peace needs 'many more steps': Trudeau

Richmond man faces multiple charges in $10M cryptocurrency home invasion theft

Richmond RCMP say the "lengthy and complex investigation" began after thieves impersonating police officers broke into a home and tied up a middle-aged couple, assaulting them and confining them for hours. Mounties say the armed suspects made off with $10 million in unspecified cryptocurrency and luxury goods, leaving the "badly shaken up" victims with non-life-threatening injuries.

Richmond man faces multiple charges in $10M cryptocurrency home invasion theft

B.C. energy minister's dropped memo ends up in hands of Opposition BC United

Energy Minister Josie Osborne admitted she is the author of the memo which the BC United party says shows the New Democrat government "panicking" about growing opposition to the provincial carbon tax. Osborne says the memo is a copy of notes she made Wednesday about possible ideas for the government's February budget following discussions she had with an adviser who she refuses to name.

B.C. energy minister's dropped memo ends up in hands of Opposition BC United

B.C. Director of Civil Forfeiture claims 10 properties owned by alleged drug dealer

The B.C. government wants 10 properties in Prince George forfeited for their alleged use in a years-long drug trafficking operation. The province's Director of Civil Forfeiture claims in a lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court that properties owned by Daniel Prediger should be handed over to the government because of their use in "unlawful activity."

B.C. Director of Civil Forfeiture claims 10 properties owned by alleged drug dealer

Surrey business targeted in shooting

Mounties in Surrey say a store was hit by gunfire on Thursday, the second time this week within the same business complex on 81st Ave and 128 Street. Police say officers found evidence of a shooting, but no one was injured and the business was closed at that time.

Surrey business targeted in shooting

Mayor says release of child sex offender Brian Abrosimo in Surrey is 'outrageous'

Surrey’s mayor says it’s "outrageous" that a sex offender who abducted and assaulted an 11-year-old girl in 2004 has been released in the city, which she says has more children per capita than anywhere in British Columbia. Surrey RCMP issued a public warning about Brian Abrosimo, 61, who they say is at high risk to reoffend after his release from prison on Thursday.