The Edmonton Police officials have publicly confirmed that the series of arsons, shootings and extortions affecting local South Asian community in Edmonton since October 2023 are being conducted by local individuals directed by a suspect in India.
Inspector Lance Parker of organized crime branch of Edmonton Police said in a press conference this week. “At this time, we believe the series has been committed by a group of local individuals being directed by a suspect in India.”
Police declined to comment further on the Indian connection and said Canada’s federal police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, were handling the cross-border aspect of the investigation.
In what Edmonton Police described as a new trend in Canada, victims typically receive a WhatsApp message along with a request for compensation for the victims’ safety.
There have been similar incidents reported in British Columbia and Ontario, though he said that while there are similar incidents in BC, there is no evidence to suggest they are related to Edmonton incidents.
He informed that the Edmonton police are now investigating 27 events related to an ongoing extortion series that has affected the South Asian community in the Edmonton region since October, including 5 extortions, 15 arsons and 7 firearms offences which include property damage of $9 million.
“Rest assured, we will not tolerate our citizens or any of our communities to be terrorized and extorted by these criminals.” That was the message from Deputy Chief Devin Laforce at a press conference.
Edmonton Police Service held a news conference to release video of a vehicle that was used in a recent drive-by shooting, which investigators think is connected to the extortion scheme that has so far exclusively targeted South Asian home builders in Edmonton.
“It’s our belief they’re targeting home builders maybe because … the people perpetrating these crimes view them as being affluent and able to provide funds,” Staff Sgt. David Paton explained.
The Edmonton Police asked the public to come forward to report extortion and assist in identifying a suspect vehicle in the drive-by shooting. “The safety of our city relies on this cooperation between the police and the community we serve.”
A house fire in Beaumont that occurred in the early morning hours of Jan. 16 is the most recent event to be connected to the series.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the shootings, but a firefighter was injured in one of the arsons.
On Jan. 10, 2024, at approximately 1:10 a.m., a suspect in a vehicle fired shots into a Cy Becker residence occupied by a family with children. No one was struck, although bullets were recovered from inside the home. The occupants of the home have no known involvement in criminal activity.
Police have since determined this shooting is connected to the extortion series, and this is the second time the home was targeted. Anyone with information related to the suspect vehicle pictured below is asked to come forward.
Anyone who has received threats or who has information about the drive-by shooting or other events related to this crime series is asked to contact police immediately at 780-423-4567. When speaking with police dispatch, callers can reference file #23-802638. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
A dedicated project team continues to investigate this series and its connection to organized crime. While similar events have been reported in B.C. and Ontario, at this time, investigators do not believe these to be connected to the Edmonton series.
