Investigation into extortion in Edmonton arsons leads to 6 arrests
Edmonton Police Service has confirmed it is investigating at least 18 incidents of extortion in the area since October, and investigators believe there may be additional cases.
As CTV News Edmonton previously reported, members of the South Asian business community have allegedly received messages through WhatsApp or social media demanding payment of a large sum.
If the victim doesn't pay, fires are set at newly built homes or show homes.
EPS says there have also been follow-up demands for larger sums of money, which has escalated to violence, including drive-by shootings.
No injuries have been reported.
Investigators say the fires have been started by a group of young adults who have been seen carrying gas cans.
Six young men have been arrested after shootings and arsons that police say have been connected to the extortion cases.
Parminder Singh, 20, was arrested on 12 firearms-related charges stemming from an incident on Oct. 19 where shots were fired at a home in the Laurel area.
Singh is currently in custody.
Hassan Dembil, 18, Manav Heer, 18, Ravinder Sandu, 19, and a youth were all charged with arson-related offences in relation to a house fire in the Cy Becker area on Dec. 19.
They have since been released.
Arjun Sahnan, 19, was arrested on five firearms-related charges during a Dec. 30 traffic stop.
He has since been released.
On Wednesday, police released a photo of a male who is a person of interest in a deliberately set fire on Dec. 29 at Woodhaven Point.
Mike Ellis, Alberta's minister of public safety and emergency services, was unavailable for comment Wednesday, but in a statement to CTV News Edmonton, a spokesperson for the ministry said it will be monitoring the situation closely while Edmonton police investigate.
EPS has set up a dedicated project team to work on the case, and anyone with information about the person of interest or who has received an extortion threat is asked to call police at 780-423-4567 and reference file #23-802638.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former soldier 'Canadian Dave' taken by the Taliban: sources
David Lavery, a former Canadian Forces soldier who helped approximately 100 people flee Afghanistan during the fall of Kabul, has been 'picked up' by the Taliban this week, according to multiple sources who spoke to CTV National News on the condition of anonymity.
Canada Revenue Agency eliminating nearly 600 term positions by end of 2024
The Canada Revenue Agency will be eliminating approximately 600 temporary and contract employees across the country by mid-December.
Alta. Premier Danielle Smith will be in Washington for Trump inauguration
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will be heading to Washington, D.C., for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration.
Is Canada Post delivering mail today? What to know about the strike
With Canada Post workers on strike, many individuals and businesses are facing the challenge of sending and receiving mail. Here are the answers to some of Canadians’ most-asked questions.
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
Interest in moving to Canada soars amid fears about Donald Trump: immigration lawyer
Fears about the next Donald Trump administration have led to more interest in moving to Canada, including from high-profile individuals, according to an immigration lawyer.
Love story: Nova Scotia couple gets engaged at Taylor Swift’s Toronto show
A Nova Scotia couple fulfilled their wildest dreams Thursday night when they got engaged at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Toronto.
Montreal children's hospitals urging parents to avoid ERs
The two biggest children’s hospitals in Montreal - the CHU Sainte-Justine and Montreal Children's Hospital - are asking parents to avoid bringing their children to the emergency room if possible due to a surge in patients.
Former Waterloo, Ont. school principal pleads guilty to luring, sending sexually explicit material
A former elementary school principal in Waterloo, Ont. has pleaded guilty to charges that include luring and transmitting sexually explicit material to someone believed to be under the age of 16.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Calgary
-
Fifth person charged in Tara Miller's death
Alberta RCMP have charged a fifth person in the death of Calgarian Tara Miller.
-
Alta. Premier Danielle Smith will be in Washington for Trump inauguration
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will be heading to Washington, D.C., for Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration.
-
Canada Post strike halts mail, parcel deliveries across the country
Canada Post workers are on strike after failing to reach a negotiated agreement with their employer.
Lethbridge
-
Students put math, science skills to work for cardboard boat in Lethbridge competition
Two hundred students from across southern Alberta set sail at the University of Lethbridge Thursday, in cardboard boats.
-
5 arrested, shotgun seized following Lethbridge bust
Lethbridge police say charges have been laid against five people in connection with a high-risk incident that unfolded at a motel on Thursday.
-
Shop of Wonders returns to bring holiday joy to Lethbridge children in need
With Christmas fast approaching, MyCityCare's annual Shop of Wonders officially opened for the season Thursday.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatchewan tire recycler suing province for $10M over multiple year contract dispute
A Saskatoon rubber manufacturer is taking the province to court, claiming millions of dollars in damages for breach of a contract as part of a dispute that's lasted more than two years.
-
No injuries in Saskatoon garage fire
Saskatoon firefighters responded to a garage fire on the 100 block of Avenue U South Thursday night.
-
Sask. man facing child pornography charge
A Saskatchewan man is facing a child pornography charge following investigation by the provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit.
Regina
-
Sask. man facing child pornography charge
A Saskatchewan man is facing a child pornography charge following investigation by the provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit.
-
'It's historic': For the first time, Regina city council will include 2 women of colour
Regina voters in two wards made history Wednesday night, electing two women of colour to serve on council for the first time in the city's history.
-
Saskatchewan tire recycler suing province for $10M over multiple year contract dispute
A Saskatoon rubber manufacturer is taking the province to court, claiming millions of dollars in damages for breach of a contract as part of a dispute that's lasted more than two years.
Vancouver
-
B.C. Human Rights Tribunal to expedite complaint from Jewish teachers' group
A group of teachers says British Columbia's Human Rights Tribunal has agreed to expedite a complaint of antisemitism against their union as more allegations surface.
-
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
-
Joly, Blinken push to get B.C. river treaty through Congress before Trump government
Top officials in both Canada and the United States are pushing for the need to finalize the Columbia River Treaty to manage water flowing between the two countries before the administration change in America.
Vancouver Island
-
WestJet passengers can submit claims now in $12.5M class-action case over baggage fees
Some travellers who checked baggage on certain WestJet flights between 2014 and 2019 may now claim their share of a class-action settlement approved by the British Columbia Supreme Court last month and valued at $12.5 million.
-
Insurance bureau estimates $110 million in damages from October storms in B.C.
Intense flooding that hammered British Columbia's coast last month has led to more than $110 million in insured damage claims.
-
Nanaimo nurse suspended for 'unauthorized access of patient records,' college says
A Nanaimo nurse has agreed to a seven-day suspension for accessing patient records without authorization.
Toronto
-
Toronto man wanted for allegedly selling fake concert and sporting tickets
Peel police are searching for a Toronto man who allegedly sold fake sporting and concert tickets to a victim, which resulted in a loss of over $38,000.
-
FBI releases new image of Canadian former Olympian sought on murder and drug charges
The FBI has released a new image of Ryan James Wedding, the Canadian ex-Olympian allegedly behind a deadly international drug ring.
-
Toronto couple fights over Taylor Swift tickets in divorce settlement
A Toronto couple bought two tickets to one of Taylor Swift's tour stops in the city, but unfortunately their love story didn't last and now they're fighting for who gets the seats.
Montreal
-
Montreal road rage caught on video: Suspect charged with assault causing bodily harm
A 47-year-old Terrebonne man has been charged following a case of road rage in broad daylight last summer on the Ile-aux-Tourtes bridge.
-
Woman, 73, in critical condition after being struck by vehicle in Ile-Bizard–Ste-Genevieve
A 73-year-old woman was sent to hospital Friday after she was struck by a vehicle in the city's l'Île-Bizard–Ste-Geneviève borough.
-
Documentary sparks debate on masculinity and the manosphere
On Monday, Tele-Quebec released the highly anticipated documentary film “Alphas,” a look at the world of online influencers in what is known as the manosphere.
Atlantic
-
Canada Post strike: Maritime provinces working to ensure vital cheques arrive
All three Maritime provinces are working on alternatives to ensure residents receive vital mail, like government cheques, after Canada Post workers hit the picket lines Friday morning.
-
N.S. RCMP seek information after shooting in North Preston
The RCMP in Nova Scotia is seeking information about a shooting in North Preston, N.S.
-
Love story: Nova Scotia couple gets engaged at Taylor Swift’s Toronto show
A Nova Scotia couple fulfilled their wildest dreams Thursday night when they got engaged at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Toronto.
Winnipeg
-
'A little piece of history': Winnipeg homeowner finds 80-year-old letters hidden in walls
When George Arcioni began renovating his kitchen last summer, he didn’t expect to find a stack of letters hidden in the wall behind his oven.
-
'A special place': Looking back at the history of Canada Life Centre as it marks 20 years
A hectic blur. That is how the opening day of Canada Life Centre—originally MTS Centre—is remembered by many who were involved in bringing the arena to downtown Winnipeg 20 years ago.
-
Ottawa
-
How the postal strike is impacting rural Ontario
As postal workers across the Ottawa Valley walk picket lines rather than sidewalks, small businesses like Dianne Rodger Jewellery are concerned about getting holiday orders out.
-
Canada Revenue Agency eliminating nearly 600 term positions by end of 2024
The Canada Revenue Agency will be eliminating approximately 600 temporary and contract employees across the country by mid-December.
-
Ottawa resident ordered to pay $35,000 after 2023 forest fire in Renfrew County
An Ottawa resident has pleaded guilty to failing to keep a fire under control after a wildfire consumed almost 45 hectares of land on Centennial Lake in Renfrew County.
Northern Ontario
-
Police in Canada collected wreckage after object shot down over Lake Huron
Newly released documents show the Royal Canadian Mounted Police collected wreckage after an unidentified object was shot down over Lake Huron in February of last year.
-
Teacher charged with sex assault on a minor at a school in northern Ont.
A 72-year-old teacher from Blind River has been charged with multiple counts of sexual assault involving two victims under the age of 16.
-
Driver airlifted to hospital after Manitoulin Island motorcycle crash
A motorcycle driver who sustained serious injuries in a crash on Manitoulin Island on Thursday evening was airlifted to Sudbury hospital.
Barrie
-
Developer changing Barrie's skyline with high-rises to address housing crisis
Officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday afternoon to celebrate the first phase of the Sky Towers development on Grove Street West in Barrie, which will add more than 500 new units to the City’s housing market.
-
Mother testifies about son's struggles before his death in Midland murder trial
Chris Forrester’s mother took the witness stand on Friday in the second-degree murder trial of a man accused of killing her son three years ago.
-
Police successfully capture emu on the loose
On Friday, Nottawasaga OPP officers successfully captured a two legged friend along Concession Road 4 in Adjala-Tosorontio.
Kitchener
-
Former Waterloo, Ont. school principal pleads guilty to luring, sending sexually explicit material
A former elementary school principal in Waterloo, Ont. has pleaded guilty to charges that include luring and transmitting sexually explicit material to someone believed to be under the age of 16.
-
Woman struck by car in Cambridge shares what happened
A woman who was hit by a vehicle in Cambridge, Ont. is speaking out about the scary experience.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Canada Post workers go on strike Friday morning, disrupting deliveries
Canadian Union of Postal Workers said approximately 55,000 workers are striking, claiming little progress has been made in the bargaining process.
London
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Police charge London doctor after he sprays MP’s office with ketchup, again
Mischief charges have been laid against London physician Dr. Tarek Loubani following a demonstration at MP Peter Fragiskatos’ office earlier this week where he sprayed a bottle of ketchup on the exterior.
-
'The evidence was on graphic display before them': SIU concludes police committed no wrongs in death of Breanna Broadfoot's killer
An SIU report released on Friday has cleared London police of wrongdoing in the death of an 18-year-old man following a confrontation on the evening of July 16.
-
MP Fragiskatos: London receiving millions to address homeless encampments
Less than a week before municipal budget deliberations, London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos has confirmed that London will receive new federal funding to address homeless encampments.
Windsor
-
Why these trees have been saved from the sprawling expansion of Highway 3
A memorial stone and oak trees have been protected from excavation along the corridor where the two-lane highway is expanding to four in Kingsville.
-
Windsor-Essex residents react to Canada Post strike
There was no shortage of support for Canada Post workers while passing by strike lines in Windsor and Tecumseh.
-
'All Canadians deserve to feel safe': Anti-hate funding expanded
The federal government has expanded a security program that aims to fight hate crime.
