Edmonton police release footage of suspects in extortion of South Asian community
Edmonton police have released a number of surveillance videos they hope will help identify suspects involved in Project Gaslight, the extortion series targeting members of the South Asian community.
The Edmonton Police Service is investigating 34 events since October related to this specific extortion affecting homebuilders.
No injuries have been reported in the shooting events, EPS said, but a firefighter was hurt at one of the arsons. The last arson connected to this file was in January, Staff Sgt. David Paton said on Wednesday.
“We continue to believe the series is being committed by a group of local individuals being directed by a suspect outside of Canada,” Paton said. “While there are similar occurrences in B.C. and Ontario, there is no evidence to date to suggest they are related to the Edmonton incidents.”
Between the arsons and shootings, roughly $10 million in property has been damaged, police said.
“I think these types of things are quite common in India and I think maybe it’s a tactic that they’re exploiting,” Paton added. “The fact that they all kind of came at relatively the same time was definitely interesting. It was a concern to us in the initial parts of the investigation but as it started to unfold, the suggestion that it’s linked to something bigger seemed to really fade away.”
Edmonton police are working with the RCMP on this file, Paton said.
On Wednesday, EPS detectives released several surveillance videos of suspects.
“Since the investigation began, we’ve been working to obtain and review large volumes of surveillance video obtained from the scenes of several arsons connected to Project Gaslight, as well as footage from stores and gas stations where the suspects purchased gas cans and fuel allegedly used to commit the arsons,” Det. Devin Kokoski said.
“After reviewing the video and identifying as many of the suspects as we could, we’re now releasing it to the public in the hopes they can identify the remaining suspects and provide us with information to fill in the gaps about their activities on the dates in question.”
Nov. 6, 2023 gas can
On Nov. 6, 2023, in the area of 16th Avenue and 12th Street, three suspects are seen getting out of a vehicle with a gas can. They’re later seen running back to the same vehicle.
Police are looking for information on the identities of the three suspects in the video and any information on their activities on Nov. 6.
Nov. 24, 2023, in Leduc
On Nov. 24, 2023, three suspects are seen approaching a home on Meadowview Way in Leduc with a gas can.
Police are seeking information on the identities of the three suspects and any information on their activities on Nov. 24.
Dec. 14, 2023, in Beaumont
On Dec. 14, 2023, at a home in the area of 42nd Avenue and 38A Street in Beaumont, surveillance video shows two suspects approaching a home, breaking into it and starting a fire.
Police want to identify the person carrying the red jerry can, wearing white shoes and a grey hooded sweatshirt. Police are also looking for any information on the pair’s activities on Dec. 14.
Dec. 31, 2023, SUV and Mercedes
On Dec. 31, 2023, a suspect driving an SUV is seen arriving at a home in the area of 16th Avenue and 12th Street, then later driving away shortly before smoke starts coming from the building.
Prior to the fire, a newer model, white, four-door Mercedes with heavily tinted windows was also seen circling the area.
Police are looking for any information on both vehicles, their owners and their activities on Dec. 31.
Jan. 28 at Parsons Road Walmart
On Jan. 28, 2024, two men are seen going into a Walmart at 1203 Parsons Road, purchasing a gas can and walking out of the store.
Police want to identify the suspect in the camouflage jacket. The other suspect has been identified.
Jan. 28 at Saddleback Road 7/11
Also on Jan. 28, 2024, a man carrying a gas can is seen going into and then leaving a 7/11 at 280 Saddleback Road. He’s later seen filling the can at the pumps.
This suspect has been identified, and police are looking for any information about his activities on this date.
Anyone who has information about any of the suspects shown, or about the events related to this crime series is asked to contact police immediately at projectgaslight@edmontonpolice.ca or 780-391-4279.
So far, six “young males” have been arrested in connection with shooting and arson incidents linked to the extortion series, Paton said. They are all believed to be from Edmonton.
Parminder Singh, 20, was arrested and faces 12 firearms-related charges for an Oct. 19, 2023, incident where shots were fired at a residence in the Laurel area.
Hassan Dembil, 18, Manav Heer, 18, Ravinder Sandu, 19, and a youth were all charged with arson-related offences for a Dec. 19, 2023, residential fire in the Cy Becker community.
Arjun Sahnan, 19, was arrested on five firearms-related charges during a Dec. 30, 2023 vehicle stop.
“I believe some of our police offensive tactics that we used against some of these individuals were very successful,” Paton said. “The community engagement that we had made a huge difference as well. We suspect some of that pressure came from the community itself that sort of put some of these people at bay.”
Police hosted a town hall for members of the South Asian Edmonton community in February.
“It was very well attended and from all the feedback we’ve got, it was very well received,” Paton said. “We’ve got excellent responses … through that meeting.”
Paton said there is still a “large number of suspects.”
The Project Gaslight team is comprised of approximately 10 investigators and two analysts.
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