Edmonton new-home arsons linked to extortion scheme: sources
Brand new, unoccupied homes have been going up in flames all over Edmonton, and sources tell CTV News Edmonton the fires are related to an extortion scheme.
In November, a new build was destroyed in the southeast neighbourhood of Aster.
A week later, a house on the same block was burned.
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services says between Nov. 1 and Jan. 2, there have been nine fires involving new or under-construction residential structures.
Three of those fires happened in the last week.
All of those fires are being investigated as arson or have been confirmed to be deliberately set.
Most of the builders of the homes are members of the South Asian community.
Multiple sources say the builders have been receiving extortion demands and threats.
The person behind the threat demands a large sum of money.
When the builders don't pay, their homes are being burnt down.
In a video captured by a resident in west Edmonton, where two homes were set on fire last week, two men appear to light a fire at the side of the home before leaving the scene.
A member of the South Asian community, who CTV News has agreed to keep anonymous for his safety, says the threats are being received through WhatsApp, phone calls and other social media.
"Every builder has hired dozens of security guards to protect their properties, and protect themselves and their houses," he said.
"I've heard some builders have set up big screen cameras in their homes and they're staying up all night."
Edmonton isn't the only community where businesses are being targeted.
In Ontario, Peel police have launched a task force after recent extortion attempts targeting the South Asian business community.
In B.C., a shooting at a White Rock home was connected to an extortion letter targeting business owners.
Two men have been arrested in that case.
Former B.C. Minister of Public Safety Kash Heed says Edmonton police need to suppress the extortion incidents in Edmonton immediately before the individuals behind it become emboldened.
"Politicians have to look at this as a priority for the South Asian community or we're going to have people die and we're going to have more violence," he told CTV News.
The anonymous source agrees.
"They have started with the South Asian community but it will not stay a South Asian problem. If someone gets a taste of this kind of bad money, they're going to go after everyone," he said.
The Edmonton Police Service says it has a dedicated project team working on the investigation.
They expect to release more information soon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton stabbed with toothbrush and broken broom handle: victim's family
The family of one of Robert Pickton's victims says the convicted serial killer suffered an incredibly violent death at the hands of another inmate.
Republicans join Trump's attacks on justice system and campaign of vengeance after guilty verdict
Embracing Donald Trump's strategy of blaming the U.S. justice system after his historic guilty verdict, Republicans in Congress are fervently enlisting themselves in his campaign of vengeance and political retribution in the GOP bid to reclaim the White House.
Daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt files court petition to remove father's last name
A daughter of actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt filed paperwork to legally remove "Pitt" from her name on the day she turned 18.
U.S. defense secretary says war with China neither imminent nor unavoidable, stressing need for talks
United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told a gathering of top security officials Saturday that war with China was neither imminent nor unavoidable, despite rapidly escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, stressing the importance of renewed dialogue between him and his Chinese counterpart in avoiding "miscalculations and misunderstandings."
Ex-husband charged with murder in death of Lumby, B.C., woman
The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski – the woman whose disappearance and death set the small town of Lumby, B.C., on edge last month – has been charged with her murder.
Hezbollah fighters shoot down an Israeli drone in southern Lebanon
The militant Hezbollah group said it shot down an Israeli drone over southern Lebanon on Saturday, after hours Israeli drone strikes killed at least one person and wounded others.
North Korea is sending more trash-carrying balloons to South Korea
North Korea launched more trash-carrying balloons toward the South after a similar campaign earlier in the week, according to South Korea's military, in what Pyongyang calls retaliation for activists flying anti-North Korean leaflets across the border.
Is intermittent fasting better than counting calories? Maybe not, but you might stick with it
As weight-loss plans go, it's easy to see the allure of intermittent fasting: Eat what you want, but only during certain windows of time — often just eight hours a day.
Hostage families call for a ceasefire deal pushed by Biden. Israel says conditions must be met
Families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas called for all parties to immediately accept a proposal detailed by U.S. President Joe Biden to end the nearly eight-month-long war and bring their relatives home, but Israel's government said conditions for a ceasefire still must be met.