Three South Asians among five arrested in extortion incidents in Ontario

Photo: Peel Regional Police

INVESTIGATORS from Ontario’s Peel Regional Police 21 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau have 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.

As a result of this investigation:

* Dupinderdeep Cheema, a 36-year-old man from Brampton, was charged with criminal harassment, fail to comply, conspiracy to commit indictable offence, and extortion.

* Beant Dhillon, a 51-year-old man from Brampton, was charged with assault, forcible confinement, extortion, possession of property obtained by crime, and utter threats.

* Arundeep Thind, a 39-year-old man of unknown address, was charged with assault, forcible confinement, and extortion.

* Mustapha Alawiye, a 32-year-old man from Mississauga, was charged with criminal harassment.

* Kymani Hassakourinas, a 32-year-old man from Mississauga, was charged with criminal harassment.

All individuals were held for bail hearings at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact investigators with the 21 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at 905-453-2121 extension 2133. Anonymous information may also be submitted by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by visiting peelcrimestoppers.ca.