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Five people have been charged and two others remain wanted by investigators in connection with a string of arson and extortion-related offences at Winnipeg convenience stores, police say.
There were at least three attempts by the group in July to extort money from retailers in exchange for protection from arson, as well as three fires that were deliberately set, Winnipeg police allege in a news release.
“Each one of these fires put lives at risk, caused damage to homes and businesses, and created fear and disruption in our community,” Insp. Jennifer McKinnon, with the Winnipeg Police Service major crimes unit, said during a news conference Tuesday.
The incidents happened at locations on Selkirk Avenue, Spruce Street, Main Street and Portage Avenue from July 16-23 last summer, police said.
Fires were set at a warehouse on Spruce and two convenience stores on Selkirk, police said.
Three convenience stores — two on Selkirk, one on Main — paid money in exchange for protection from arson, police said.
There was also a theft at a retail business on Portage Avenue not far from the Perimeter Highway, the news release said.
Police allege the ensuing investigation found all the incidents were connected to seven people, including Farhan Nabil, 29, and Jermaine Weekes, 40. Both men are wanted on Canada-wide arrest warrants in connection with extortion and arson-related offences.
Nabil is wanted on four counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence — two counts of arson and two counts of extortion. Weekes is wanted for two counts of extortion.
Cora Renae Penner, 32, and Jahaid Hossain Maruf, 26, of Kitchener, Ont., were each charged with two counts of extortion. Maruf is being held in custody, while Penner was released on a promise to appear in court.
James Dean Herda, 33, was also charged with two counts of extortion, as well as four counts of disobeying a court order and operating a motor vehicle while prohibited. He was held in custody.
Jerry Marcel Martin, 49, and Lorenzo Lucas, 65 — both from Montreal — were each charged with two counts of extortion, arson with disregard for human life, arson causing damage to property and theft under $5,000. Lucas was also charged with identity theft.
