“Our recent efforts to identify suspects and collect information about their activities have been very helpful in advancing this investigation, and we are starting to get a very clear picture of the hierarchy of this group,” says Staff Sergeant David Paton, with the EPS EDGE Section. “Since our last media release, our investigators have executed search warrants at two separate residences, one in south Edmonton and one in Beaumont. Police seized items related to the investigation, and arrested and interviewed two suspects.”
Charges have not been laid in relation to the search warrants. The investigation continues, and detectives are now releasing several more images and surveillance videos to solicit tips and identify suspects and a suspect vehicle in several December incidents.
In the first video, on Dec. 15, 2023, two male suspects are seen buying and filling gas cans at a Petro Canada at 351 Allard Way SW. The suspects have been identified, but police are looking for any other information about the two suspects’ activities on that date.
Another video from the late evening of Dec. 15, 2023, shows a red car captured on camera near the scene of a Dec. 16 arson at Cy Becker Road and 48 Street. Investigators are looking for any information about this vehicle.
On Dec. 29, 2023, two male suspects are seen entering a Circle K at 20010 Lessard Road, and gathering burn material outside at the pumps. Police are looking to identify the suspect shown in the photo and the first video below.
Dec. 29: unidentified suspect
Police are also looking for information on the second suspect shown in the video below.
Video was also captured of the two suspects gathering what is believed to be burn materials outside the same location.
Also on Dec. 29, at a southwest residence at Esaiw Place, a white car is captured on camera arriving prior to an arson, and later three suspects are seen running away after the fire is ignited. The vehicle is also captured fleeing after the arson occurs. Police are looking for any information about the suspects or the vehicle.
Dec. 29: suspect vehicle
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. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.p3tips.com/250.
Background
Police are investigating 34 events related to an ongoing extortion series that has affected the South Asian community in the Edmonton region since October.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the shootings. An estimated $10 million in property damage has been reported as a result of the arsons and shootings.
Previous Project Gaslight news releases were issued on Apr. 24 and Apr. 30.