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At least seven people used the threat of arson to extort Winnipeg convenience stores in a string of offences last summer, police allege.
Five people have been charged and two others are wanted by investigators in connection with at least three attempts in July to extort money from retailers in exchange for protection from arson, as well as three fires that were deliberately set, Winnipeg police said Tuesday.
“A group of individuals — some from Winnipeg and others from eastern Canada — were sent to threaten and extort local business owners using arson as a weapon,” Winnipeg Police Service major crimes unit Insp. Jennifer McKinnon said during a news conference.
“Each one of these fires put lives at risk, caused damage to homes and businesses, and created fear and disruption in our community.”
The incidents happened at locations on Selkirk Avenue, Spruce Street, Main Street and Portage Avenue from July 16-23, 2025, police said.
Fires were set at a warehouse on Spruce and two convenience stores on Selkirk. Three convenience stores — two on Selkirk, one on Main — paid money in exchange for protection from arson, according to police.
There was also a theft at a retail business on Portage Avenue not far from the Perimeter Highway.
The ensuing investigation found all the incidents were connected to seven people, including Farhan Nabil, 29, and Jermaine Weekes, 40, police allege.
Jermaine Weekes, left, and Farhan Nabil are wanted on Canada-wide warrants in connection with extortion and arson-related offences, Winnipeg police say. (Submitted by Winnipeg Police Service)
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.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding their whereabouts to contact their major crimes unit at 204-986-6219. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477 or online.
Arson is not a victimless crime — it places an enormous strain on emergency services … [and] places our community at risk.- Insp. Jennifer McKinnon
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.Â
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.
Mayor warns would-be extortionists
Mayor Scott Gillingham took an opportunity just ahead of the Winnipeg police arrest announcement Tuesday to issue a warning to would-be extortionists.
“You will not intimidate this city,” Gillingham said at an unrelated news conference. “If you prey on our community, you will be caught and you will be held accountable.”
WATCH | Extortionists ‘will not intimidate’ Winnipeggers, mayor says:
Extortionists ‘will not intimidate’ Winnipeggers, mayor says
Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham issued a warning to would-be extortionists at a news conference Tuesday and praised police for making arrests in a series of crimes. A group allegedly threatened retailers with arson as a means of extorting them.
In response to questions from reporters, Insp. McKinnon was unable to confirm whether the group was being instructed to target locations, whether investigators are aware of any other potential extortion cases the accused may have been involved in, or whether there may be more members associated with the group.
McKinnon did say the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and other agencies were involved in the investigation.
Arson investigations are typically lengthy and complex, and motives of arsonists “often have no logical reason at all” behind them, she said.
Though some are crimes of opportunity or targeted attacks, McKinnon suggested others are used as a “weapon to extort victims,” such as in this case.
“Arson is not a victimless crime — it places an enormous strain on emergency services, endangers firefighters [and] first responders, and most importantly places our community at risk,” McKinnon said.