Edmonton extortion series: 2 arrested during 'attempted arson' in Tamarack
Two more arrests were made Monday in connection to an extortion series in Edmonton.
Edmonton Police Service has confirmed its tactical team helped with the pair of arrests during "an attempted arson" near 24 Avenue and 13 Street.
Roop Rani, who lives on the street, told CTV News Edmonton her family woke up around 4 a.m. by what appeared to be "shooting sounds."
From their windows, she says they watched police catch and take away two people, then search what seemed like their car.
"It was scary, for sure. We were just confused. What's going on?" Rani recalled.
The people arrested have not been charged yet, EPS spokesperson Cheryl Voordenhout said Tuesday morning.
As of Jan. 18, 27 events – including extortions, arsons and firearm offences – had been linked to the extortion scheme. At that point, exclusively South Asian home builders had been targeted.
CTV News Edmonton knows of one more newly built house going up in flames since then. While police are calling the fire on 20 Avenue suspicious, they have not yet connected it to the extortion series.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Nav Sangha
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