Shooting and attempted arson in extortion attempt targeting South Asian in Surrey

The two suspects. Photos: Surrey RCMP

Extortions in connection with South Asians in B.C., Alberta and Ontario continue

 

ON Saturday, August 10 at approximately 3:11 a.m., Surrey RCMP responded to a shots-fired complaint at a residence in the area of 88 Avenue and 192 Street in Port Kells. Officers located evidence consistent with a shooting at the scene along with evidence of an attempted arson.

On Sunday, August 11, a victim associated to that address received a demand for money, which is consistent with extortions targeting the South Asian community. Surrey RCMP believe this incident may be linked to the extortion series.

“Thankfully no one was injured during this incident,” said Surrey RCMP Media Relations Officer, Sgt. Tammy Lobb. “The Surrey RCMP Serious Crime Unit has conduct of the investigation and in order to advance the investigation, we are releasing a photo of the two suspects we believe are involved as well as a photo of the vehicle they allegedly used in commission of the offence.”

The vehicle, a Kia Rio 5, was recovered on Monday, August 12 and investigators have determined it was stolen from a business complex in Newton.

Kia Rio 5

Anyone who has any information about the Kia Rio 5 or may have witnessed it in the area of 88 Avenue and 192 Street on August 10, 2024 between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. is asked to call Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 and quote file 2024-117785.

If you have information and wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at solvecrime.ca, or download the “P3 Tips” app.

 

THERE appears to be no end to extortions in connection with South Asians in B.C., Alberta and Ontario.

* On July 26, The VOICE reported that Edmonton Police had arrested six suspects and issued Canada-wide warrants for a seventh in the extortion series in connection with South Asians known as Project Gaslight. Edmonton Police are now investigating 40 incidents related to extortions series. One female, Jashandeep Kaur, 19, and five males, Gurkaran Singh, 19, Manav Heer, 19, Parminder Singh, 21, Divnoor Asht, 19, and a 17-year-old male are all facing a host of serious criminal charges. Canada-wide warrants have also been issued for Maninder Singh Dhaliwal, 34, who is believed to be the leader of the criminal organization responsible for the extortions.

* On July 20, furious South Asians in B.C. demanded action from all levels of government to take action against extortionists who are still threatening South Asian businesses and others. They aired their grievances at a town hall at a Surrey banquet hall organized by the Canadian Trucking Association of BC (CTA-BC) that had claimed in a press release that “a growing number of drivers throughout the industry” were facing extortion threats.

* On July 9, The VOICE reported that Ontario’s Peel Regional Police Extortion Investigative Task Force (EITF) has laid several charges on Jaskaran Singh, 30, from Toronto after recent incidents that occurred throughout the Greater Toronto Area starting in December 2023. These incidents included mischief to property, threats, and firearm-related offences.

* On July 5, The VOICE reported that Ontario’s Peel Regional Police 21 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau had arrested and charged five individuals in relation to violent extortion incidents in the Region of Peel and the Greater Toronto Area. Between December 2023 and May 2024, police received multiple complaints, where the suspects were allegedly involved in extorting victims by assaulting, threatening and discharging firearms. Three of the suspects were South Asians: Dupinderdeep Cheema, 36, of Brampton, Beant Dhillon, 51, of Brampton, and Arundeep Thind, 39, of unknown address.