Latest news with #Demkiw
Toronto Sun
3 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Toronto cops say 20 arrested, more than 100 charges in Project Yankee
Joint forces investigation leads to dismantling of tow truck crime group Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw speaks during a news conference on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, revealing details of Project Yankee that targeted onging tow truck turf wars in Toronto's part of a joint forces investigation that started in October 2024. Photo by JACK BOLAND / TORONTO SUN Toronto Police have arrested 20 people and laid 111 charges as part of Project Yankee, which included the use of wire taps and targeted a tow truck crime group that called themselves 'The Union.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Toronto Chief Myron Demkiw said Wednesday the arrests are the part of a joint forces investigation that is still ongoing and targeted the upper-echelon members of the group who were vying for control of lucrative tow-truck territory in Toronto. 'This includes homicides, shootings, arsons, intimidation and extortion,' Demkiw said at a news conference. Of the 111 charges laid, 52 counts are for conspiracy to commit murder. Demkiw said that in 2024, 63 firearm discharge and shooting incidents were linked to tow truck-related disputes. '(In 2024), they accounted for almost 13% of all shootings and firearms discharges here in Toronto,' Demkiw said. 'And in 2025 these incidents have continued to occur.' Demkiw spoke about many shootings and arson incidents in the city, including one in early March at a Scarborough pub on Progress Ave. north of the Scarborough Town Centre. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Demkiw added that court publication bans would not allow them to get into specific details of their investigation. However, he said numerous individuals arrested are 'related to directing and participating in the activities of a criminal organization.' 'And acts of violence on a mass scale were deterred and prevented,' Demkiw said. Two handguns were also recovered along with four vehicles — three which were armour-plated Cadillacs. Toronto Police Chief Supt. Joe Matthews speaks during Wednesday's news conference. JACK BOLAND/TORONTO SUN Chief Supt. Joe Matthews said the seizure of the armoured SUVs is extremely 'extremely uncommon' and 'shows the level of sophistication' of the group. 'We are at the upper echelon. We are with the group that was organizing and hiring the acts of violence,' Matthews said. 'And it is quite telling that none of them have criminal records or are before the courts. 'Because they are the higher unit.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Matthews said that police utilized specialized units to go after these kinds of individuals. 'And the way that we go after them is through wire-tap investigations. Where we get the conversations about the planning and organizing of these violent acts,' he said. None of the arrested are out on bail, Demkiw said. On Monday, Peel Regional Police also dismantled a tow-truck ring operating out of Brampton and Mississauga during Project Outsource that used extortion as its main motivator in the South Asian community. Project Outsource targeted two trucking companies — Humble and Certified Roadside — and included the arrests of 18 individuals. Seized were $4.2 million in luxury vehicles, including 18 tow trucks, as well as various weapons such as a crossbow, Taser, baseball bats and body armour. Some armour had a front patch identifier that read 'Police.' Cops also seized $45,000 in cash. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Peel Det.-Sgt. Brian Lorette, of the Extortion Investigative Task Force, said their investigation started with the extortion cases back in July 2024 and flourished, showing suspects had been staging dozens of vehicle collisions for insurance fraud purposes, plus intimidation and violence towards the South Asian business community back in 2023 and toward local tow truck operators in Peel. 'Our investigators identified a specific Brampton-based group believed to be behind a significant proportion of these crimes,' Lorette said. 'As well as offences in the towing industry.' During a news conference on Wednesday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke about the tow-truck wars and Project Yankee and a task force set up by the OPP. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Isn't it shame because there are some really good, honest, hard-working tow truck drivers that are just trying to make a living,' Ford said. 'And then there are some really bad dudes, and they are just bad.' 'And if they start shooting up (the streets), they need to go to jail. They need to have their tow trucks confiscated,' Ford added. 'The company they are working for needs to be held accountable.' Read More 'Get it together. I've never seen anything like it,' the premier added. Those arrested as part of Project Yankee included: Abdalwahd El-Taii, 53, of Toronto; Jensikumar Joseph, 41, of Oshawa; Ahmad Faqiri, 31, of Bradford; Brandon Stock, 31, of Toronto; Farhad Zoghi-Lahmi, 41, of Richmond Hill; Talha Thanvi, 29, of Richmond Hill; Mauran Balasivam, 33, of Oshawa; Nirrosan Raviraj, 21, of Markham; Haider Eltaii, 37, of Vaughan; Alex Yizhak, 34, of Bradford; Ali Yakobi, 25, of Toronto; Igor Sayed, 23, of Toronto; Gokilan Balamurale, 24, of Markham; Anush Sathiyakumar, 19, of Toronto; Arussan Ravikumar, 21, of Markham; Sergei Manukian, 35, of Toronto; Brannan Balasegar, 23, of Toronto, and three 17-year-old male youths, including two from Toronto and one from Markham. The youths can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. RECOMMENDED VIDEO NHL Canada Editorial Cartoons Soccer Canada
Global News
05-06-2025
- Global News
‘Very active' hunt for Toronto shooting suspects underway, chief says
Toronto police are 'laser focused' on tackling gun violence after a shooting Tuesday night left one person dead and five others hurt, chef Myron Demkiw says. Demkiw, alongside Mayor Olivia Chow and Coun. Mike Colle, spoke to reporters Thursday more than 24 hours after gunshots rattled the area of Flemington Road and Zachary Court in North York. 'I do want to reassure Torontonians that we are doing everything we possibly can to advance the investigation that is very active at the moment,' he said. 'We're also committed to doing everything we can to prevent and intervene regarding violence, not just in this community but across the city, and will remain to remain laser focused in our efforts to do everything we can to tackle gun violence, particularly as the summer months are upon us.' Story continues below advertisement Around 8:40 p.m. Tuesday, police were called to the area after suspects shot a group of people gathered outside. The shooting initially caused confusion as police and paramedics rushed to the scene, offering differing casualty numbers. By the time all victims had been taken to hospital, the number of people who had been shot stood at six. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy In total, there were four men and one woman with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. One other man was confirmed dead by police just before 10 p.m. 2:28 1 man dead 5 others injured in Lawrence Heights shooting: Toronto police Det. Sgt. Tiffany Castell told reporters Wednesday afternoon police believe three suspects were responsible for the shooting. She said one of those injured was 17 years old, while the man who died was 31. He is the city's 13th homicide victim so far this year. The suspects are described as male, slim to average build, wearing dark clothing and with their faces covered. Police said all three were armed. Story continues below advertisement The shooting has rattled the community, and Chow, Demkiw and Colle were in the neighbourhood Thursday meeting with area residents. 'It was a difficult conversation, but critically important. There was a lot of grief, which I completely understand. Losing a loved one or watching your neighbours being gunned down is traumatizing,' Chow said. 'But what's encouraging is they maintain their hope that things can change … and they gave us some very concrete things that we can do, one of which is an accessible, safe space for young people to gather, for community to gather. Surely, we could do that.' Pastor Delroy Sherman told Global News Wednesday the shooting should be a wake-up call to tighten gun laws in the country. 'It shouldn't take months or years to change the gun laws. That's what needs to be done in our community,' he said. Demkiw also spoke about justice reform when asked Thursday. 'Frankly, it's complicated, and it's not one stream. We need reform across the system. It's not just about bail, it's also about deterrence, it's also about accountability,' he said. 'We need a proper conversation about all those issues, and take some steps to actually not only hold offenders accountable during the process of trial, but hold them accountable through the sentencing stream.' Story continues below advertisement The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact police. — with files from Isaac Callan
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Time of India
Toronto police arrest 10 in interconnected shooting incidents; almost 90 per cent of crime guns seized US-sourced
Toronto police made a headway in the recent cases of multiple shootings in the city arresting 10 people. Among those arrested are suspects who were allegedly involved in a pub shooting incident in which a dozen people were injured. Three of those arrested have been charged with attempted murder. The three suspects are male youths, including two 17-year-olds and one 15-year-old; the others are between the ages of 19 and 22. The indiscriminate spate of shootings at several places in Toronto seem to be interconnected, according to the police. The alleged incidents include one that occurred in March 2025 at the Piper Arms pub in Scarborough. A trio of masked men armed with an assault rifle and handguns fired several bullets leaving a dozen people injured. The shooting incident was caught on video. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Speaking at a press conference Wednesday (June 4), the Toronto police said that all the incidents of shooting involved hired gunmen in stolen cars, The Globe And Mail reported. They also fired at people in tow truck yards, a gas station and a commercial plaza, Toronto police said. Police alleged that some of the incidents are linked to tow-truck turf wars, though they have not linked the Piper Arms shooting to that industry. Live Events While addressing reporters at police headquarters, Chief Myron Demkiw said that they released the video on Wednesday of that March shooting to show the extent to which the city is facing the gun problem. He stated that gun crime 'needs to stop,' calling on the federal government to step in to help curb the violence. 'I have been in contact with the federal Minister of Public Safety, and I look forward to further discussions with him concerning public safety in Toronto,' Chief Demkiw said, according to The Globe And Mail. 203 charges laid including attempted murder, say investigators Investigators of crime have revealed that they have laid 203 charges, including 24 counts of attempted murder while recovering four firearms in link with a spate of shooting incidents in the 2025 spring season. Police said that the 10 suspects arrested are all tied to interconnected shootings. However, no explanation has been given by the police pertaining to how these suspects are related. Police Superintendent Paul MacIntyre of the city's organized crime enforcement unit claimed that the alleged perpetrators behind the shooting incidents are 'a bunch of guys that are not a gang,'. He dubbed them hired gunmen. 'They're just friends, if you will. They're associates,' he said. Chief Demkiw on Wednesday (June 4) also answered questions about an unrelated shooting in Lawrence Heights this week, where a 31-year-old man in a wheelchair lost his life, while five others were also left injured in what police said was a targeted attack. The suspects in this incident remain at large. What do Toronto's crime statistics say Crime statistics from Toronto police revealed that 2024 was a near-record year for incidents of shooting in the city. According to The Globe And Mail, police stated that 80 to 90 per cent of the crime guns seized in Toronto are now U.S.-sourced, up from roughly 50 per cent a decade ago.
Toronto Sun
15-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Crime stats down across board so far in 2025, Toronto chief tells police board
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw speaks to media in Toronto on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Photo by Christopher Katsarov / THE CANADIAN PRESS Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw says crime statistics are down across the board. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Speaking to the Toronto Police Service Board on Wednesday, Demkiw said auto thefts have decreased so far this year by nearly 39%, home invasions by 42% with 33 fewer incidents, homicides by 67% (11 compared to 33 at this time last year) and shootings by 46% for a total of 85, which is 73 fewer than at this time last year. Demkiw also said nearly 323 arrests have been made related to firearms. Meanwhile, Toronto Police chief Supt. Mandeep Mann said police response times have also decreased. Mann said at this time last year, police had a priority 1 average response time of 18.1 minutes, but it has been consistently holding at about 13 minutes or lower for the first four months of the year. HATE CRIMES JUMPED AGAIN IN 2024 The 2024 Toronto Police Annual Hate Crime Report, however, said reported hated crimes increased by 19% last year for a total of 443 compared to 372 in 2023. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Still, this marks a slower rate of increase than the 46% jump police reported between 2022 and 2023 — a total of 246 in 2022 and then 372 in 2023. The report also showed an 84% increase in the number of individuals charged with hate-motivated offences compared to the year before. In total, 115 people were charged in 2024, up from 63 in 2023. So far in 2025, there has been a 47% decrease in reported hate crimes compared to the same time last year. RECOMMENDED VIDEO Also of note, 209 hate-motivated criminal charges were laid in 2024 — a 34% increase from the 156 charges laid in 2023. Public streets and transit were the most common locations for reported hate crimes with an 88% increase in incidents on public transit compared to the year before. Religion was the leading motivating factor in 2024 followed by sexual orientation and race/ethnicity, while the most frequently targeted communities were Jewish, 2SLGBTQ+, Black and Muslim people. The report also identified a notable increase in hate crimes targeting the South Asian community, rising from 14 in 2023 to 41 in 2024. The data is based on hate crimes reported to Toronto Police between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024. Read More Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA Relationships Columnists Olympics
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Crime stats down across board so far in 2025, Toronto chief tells police board
Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw says crime statistics are down across the board. Speaking to the Toronto Police Service Board on Wednesday, Demkiw said auto thefts have decreased so far this year by nearly 39%, home invasions by 42% with 33 fewer incidents, homicides by 67% (11 compared to 33 at this time last year) and shootings by 46% for a total of 85, which is 73 fewer than at this time last year. Demkiw also said nearly 323 arrests have been made related to firearms. Meanwhile, Toronto Police chief Supt. Mandeep Mann said police response times have also decreased. Mann said at this time last year, police had a priority 1 average response time of 18.1 minutes, but it has been consistently holding at about 13 minutes or lower for the first four months of the year. The 2024 Toronto Police Annual Hate Crime Report, however, said reported hated crimes increased by 19% last year for a total of 443 compared to 372 in 2023. Still, this marks a slower rate of increase than the 46% jump police reported between 2022 and 2023 — a total of 246 in 2022 and then 372 in 2023. The report also showed an 84% increase in the number of individuals charged with hate-motivated offences compared to the year before. In total, 115 people were charged in 2024, up from 63 in 2023. So far in 2025, there has been a 47% decrease in reported hate crimes compared to the same time last year. Also of note, 209 hate-motivated criminal charges were laid in 2024 — a 34% increase from the 156 charges laid in 2023. Public streets and transit were the most common locations for reported hate crimes with an 88% increase in incidents on public transit compared to the year before. Religion was the leading motivating factor in 2024 followed by sexual orientation and race/ethnicity, while the most frequently targeted communities were Jewish, 2SLGBTQ+, Black and Muslim people. The report also identified a notable increase in hate crimes targeting the South Asian community, rising from 14 in 2023 to 41 in 2024. The data is based on hate crimes reported to Toronto Police between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024. Three teen boys busted for violent Midtown Toronto robberies Toronto man, 36, wanted after cops probe east-end assault
