Two men arrested following an extortion-related shooting at Surrey businessman’s mansion have had new charges sworn against them, and a third suspect is currently the focus of a countrywide manhunt.
On Nov. 8, shots were fired at the home of prominent Surrey businessman Sandeep Ahuj, co-owner of the Punjab Insurance Agency. Surrey police were called out a second time for another shooting four days later.
Surrey police arrested 22-year-old Avtar Singh on Dec. 5, charging him with one count of unlawfully discharging a firearm. On Friday, he had an extortion charge added, and Sandeep Singh, 28, also faces the same charges.
A third man, Jagdeep Singh, faces the same charges, but his whereabouts are unknown.
Alberta RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency are also searching for 24-year-old Jagdeep Singh in relation to extortion-related shootings near Edmonton on Oct. 31 and Nov. 6.
The charges Jagdeep Singh faces in Edmonton are two counts of extortion, two counts of discharge from a firearm with intent, eight firearms offences and two counts of disguise with intent. He’d been stopped by Red Deer police in November with a firearm in his vehicle, but he released was released pending further investigation.
A semi-automatic rifle and a mugshot are displayed Friday by RCMP Inspector Kevin McGillivray in Edmonton as Parkland County RCMP announced a search for suspect Jagdeep Singh, who is also wanted in B.C.
The gun, which was seized by RCMP, was later linked to seven shootings across Canada.
Singh is also wanted by the Canada Border Services Agency. He is 5-foot-10, 180 pounds with black hair. He is considered dangerous.
“Extortion investigations require a significant amount of time, effort, and attention to detail,” said Lower Mainland Chief Superintendent Duncan Pound.
“The B.C. extortion task force is pursuing every investigative avenue to gather evidence, identify and locate suspects and move these files forward to the point where the B.C. Prosecution Service approves charges.
“From the outset of our investigations into extortion in B.C., the B.C. RCMP and the B.C. provincial extortion task force have been liaising with our counterparts across the country and through the RCMP’s federal policing program. Investigative efforts and forensic analysis are allowing us to continue working towards seeking charges against those committing these crimes. Our efforts are not limited to our province, and we will not stop looking, investigating and pursuing criminal charges against those involved.”
— With files from Steven Sandor, Postmedia News
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