arson

An early morning fire in south Edmonton resulted in 7 people being hospitalized and residents having to evacuate their apartments. The fire broke out at the same time as police were at the site to help another police agency carry out a court order against a male who lived in the apartment where the fire started. Investigations will determine how the fire started and if it was arson.

Edmonton Police Services (EPS) have released further details on the recent spate of extortion based crimes targeted against members of Edmonton's South Asian community. They believe the crimes are committed by local criminals who receive their directives from an Indian who is the kingpin of an organized crime ring. EPS believes threats are communicated via WhatsApp and the main targets seem to be home builders who are thought to be able to pay the extortionists.

EPS has formed a dedicated task force, is working with other agencies and is asking the community to get involved.

Since October members of the South Asian business community have been the targets of extortion and Edmonton police are scheduled to report on this later this week. The extortion demands are for large sums of money and failing to pay results in arson or other property damage. Six people have being charged thus far but there are others nationally and internationally involved.