2 arrests made, 'vehicle of interest' identified in extortion investigation: Surrey RCMP
Mounties in Surrey have made two arrests in an investigation into extortion threats targeting business owners in the Lower Mainland.
Two men in their 20s, who have not been named or charged, were arrested Thursday, police said in a news release.
“Surrey RCMP has a dedicated team of investigators who have been working around the clock on this investigation,” Sgt. Derek Bonner wrote.
“These arrests are a significant development in this ongoing investigation.”
The RCMP and the Abbotsford Police Department first issued warnings about a rash of extortion letters last month, urging business owners to remain vigilant and to report any threats to authorities. On Dec. 4, police confirmed that a report of shots fired into a home in White Rock was connected to these threats.
Friday's statement from the Surrey RCMP also included an appeal for information about a "vehicle of interest" believed to be connected to the shooting.
It is described as a white Audi e-tron manufactured between 2019 and 2023. Anyone who recognizes the vehicle is urged to call 604-599-0502.
A copy of a letter provided to CTV News says it is from "Indian gang members" and tells the recipient that if they contact the police there will be "no more letters, only bullets." It demands payment of $2 million, but does not provide any contact information or instructions on how to make the payment.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I recognize these footsteps': How Trump and 'coyote' smuggling changed life at the border
Bent signs bolted to the rail threaten fines and imprisonment should violators cross the boundary into the United States, a warning many people are choosing to ignore simply by walking around the barrier.
Stanley cups recalled over 'burn hazard'
A recall notice is in effect for a selection of Stanley travel mugs, warning consumers to 'immediately stop using' them.
She took a DNA test for fun. Police used it to charge her grandmother with murder in a cold case
According to court documents, detectives reopened the cold case in 2017 and then worked with a forensics company to extract DNA from Baby Garnet's partial femur, before sending the results to Identifinders International.
Video shows moments before a plane crashes into a busy Texas intersection
Four people sustained non-life-threatening injuries after a small plane crashed into a busy intersection in Victoria, Texas, Wednesday.
Law firm warns $47.8B First Nations child welfare reforms could be lost with election
A legal review commissioned by the Assembly of First Nations is warning a $47.8-billion deal to reform the First Nations child welfare system could be moot if there's a change in government in the upcoming year.
The Body Shop Canada's buyer will have to find ways to draw shoppers in: experts
Retail consultants say The Body Shop Canada's expected buyer has plenty of work to do, if it wants to reinvigorate the brand.
Producers of Netflix hit 'Love is Blind' accused of U.S. labour law violations
The producers of Netflix's hit reality dating show 'Love is Blind' have been accused by a U.S. labour board of attempting to strip cast members of their rights to discuss working conditions and speak publicly about their experiences.
'Enough is enough': Doug Ford says Ontario could hand encampment drug users $10,000 fines, prison
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is introducing a suite of measures to help municipalities “address and dismantle” homeless encampments around the province, including steep fines for people who use drugs.
Weather warnings for hazardous conditions in parts of Canada
Canadians will experience contrasting weather on Thursday, from warmer temperatures in the Maritimes to extreme cold in parts of Ontario, the Prairies and the North.
Vancouver Island
-
Police say 42 vehicles vandalized in 'campaign of destruction' in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties are investigating after more than 40 vehicles were vandalized in what police described as a "campaign of destruction" across Nanaimo, B.C.
-
Police investigating assault in downtown Victoria
Police are investigating an early-morning assault in the parking lot of a McDonald's restaurant in downtown Victoria.
-
'Do not approach him': Mounties searching for wanted man in B.C.
Mounties on Vancouver Island are asking the public to help find a 36-year-old man who is wanted by police.
Kelowna
-
Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas
A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas.
-
Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026
The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday.
-
545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down
Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day.
Edmonton
-
Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley quitting legislature seat as of Dec. 30
Former Alberta premier and NDP Leader Rachel Notley is leaving the legislature.
-
Police warn public about a text messaging scam circulating in Alberta
Vermilion RCMP issued a warning to the public about a text message scam involving speeding violation tickets.
-
Danielle Smith announces new team to patrol Alberta-U.S. border
Premier Danielle Smith says her government will create a team of specially-trained sheriffs tasked with patrolling the Alberta-U.S. border.
Calgary
-
Danielle Smith announces new team to patrol Alberta-U.S. border
Premier Danielle Smith says her government will create a team of specially-trained sheriffs tasked with patrolling the Alberta-U.S. border.
-
Calgary teens accused of using gun in brazen vape store robbery
Calgary police have charged two teens in the armed robbery of a store in the Manchester Industrial area.
-
Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley quitting legislature seat as of Dec. 30
Former Alberta premier and NDP Leader Rachel Notley is leaving the legislature.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge post-secondary schools trying to help students manage exam stress
Southern Alberta students are busy cramming for the final stretch of the exam season --and with all that extra work comes stress.
-
LDE will continue to operate Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre, property tax increase deferred
The Lethbridge and District Exhibition (LDE) will continue to operate the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre for at least for the next two years.
-
Advance voting begins for Lethbridge-West byelection
Plenty of voters were at the University Drive Alliance Church in Lethbridge on Tuesday to take advantage of advance voting for the Lethbridge-West byelection.
Winnipeg
-
'Concerning:' Manitoba homicides spiked in 2024
Manitoba RCMP has seen a spike in homicides in 2024.
-
Extreme cold to 'linger' in southern Manitoba: ECCC
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is warning Manitobans that the extreme cold will likely “linger” until Thursday night into Friday morning.
-
'We're not used to it this year': Extreme cold impacting Winnipeggers
The extreme cold has settled over much of Manitoba and the bone chilling temperatures are impacting people across the province, including in Winnipeg.
Regina
-
Three charged after Regina police officer assaulted during break and enter investigation
Three people are facing a lengthy list of charges after a break and enter investigation led to a Regina police officer being assaulted and injured Tuesday night.
-
Regina General Hospital parkade set to open, will provide 686 more parking spots
The grand opening of a new parkade at Regina's General Hospital was celebrated on Thursday. Staff and visitors to the medical centre will be able to use the new facility on Monday.
-
Sask. extreme cold warnings enter second day with warm up forecasted
Much of central and southern Saskatchewan, including Regina and Saskatoon, remain under an extreme cold warning Thursday morning.
Saskatoon
-
Nearly 1,500 people in Saskatoon are homeless, according to the latest count
Nearly 1,500 people in Saskatoon are homeless, according to the latest point-in-time (PiT) Count conducted by the city and outside partners.
-
Prince Albert police release photo of suspect in family/grandparent scam
The Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) is releasing a photo of a person of interest in connection with a family/grandparent emergency scam following multiple reports.
-
Historic University of Saskatchewan building slated for possible demolition
There is a building on the University of Saskatchewan campus that has been an eyesore for a few years, and now the historic building is slated for demolition. However, historians want campus officials to rethink the plan to get rid of it.
Toronto
-
'Enough is enough': Doug Ford says Ontario could hand encampment drug users $10,000 fines, prison
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is introducing a suite of measures to help municipalities “address and dismantle” homeless encampments around the province, including steep fines for people who use drugs.
-
Dog found after vehicle stolen in Toronto
A dog that was inside a vehicle when it was stolen in Toronto on Wednesday has been found, police say.
-
'A lack of judgement': Off-duty Toronto cop who drove through police blockade while impaired demoted
An off-duty Toronto cop who drove through a police blockade while impaired last year has been temporarily demoted, according to a recent tribunal decision.
Montreal
-
Quebec to pay 30 times more for power out of N.L. plant after decades-long dispute
Quebec and Newfoundland announced today a new arrangement that will see Quebec pay 30 times more for power from the Churchill Falls hydroelectricity plant in Labrador.
-
Montreal restaurant forced to close after driver crashes into building
With the holidays fast approaching, one Montreal restaurant was forced to close its doors after a driver crashed into it on the weekend.
-
Man shot and injured near Longueuil daycare
A man was shot and injured across the street from a daycare in Longueil, and the suspect is at large.
Ottawa
-
Here's what will cost more in the 2025 City of Ottawa budget
Ottawa residents will be paying more to board the O-Train and buses, have the garbage picked up, turn on the taps, park on city streets and use recreation facilities in 2025. CTV News Ottawa looks at things that will cost more in Ottawa next year.
-
NEW
NEW Crews begin removing cargo from ship stuck in St. Lawrence River in eastern Ontario
Crews have started work on a new attempt to refloat a cargo ship that ran aground in the St. Lawrence River nearly three weeks ago.
-
'Enough is enough': Doug Ford says Ontario could hand encampment drug users $10,000 fines, prison
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his government is introducing a suite of measures to help municipalities “address and dismantle” homeless encampments around the province, including steep fines for people who use drugs.
Atlantic
-
WATCH LIVEWATCH LIVE Nova Scotia's new cabinet ministers to be sworn-in Thursday afternoon
The new cabinet for the Nova Scotia government will have its swearing-in ceremony Thursday afternoon.
-
More than 20,000 customers without power in the Maritimes due to wet, windy storm
Tens of thousands of customers in the Maritimes woke up to no power Thursday morning and several schools are closed as a wet and windy storm makes its way through the region.
-
Deal between Ottawa and N.S. First Nation over contested fishery nearly done: lawyer
The lawyer for a Mi'kmaq band that has battled Ottawa over its lobster harvest rights says a deal settling the "centuries-old" fishing dispute is nearly complete.
London
-
Road closures with deteriorating conditions
Police across the region are warning drivers of deteriorating road conditions and poor visibility as snow squalls move through the region.
-
Trailer comes lose from vehicle and hits hydro pole
Charges have been laid after a crash in Lambton County where a trailer being towed by a commercial vehicle came loose and hit a hydro pole.
-
Blizzards and snowsqualls to roll through the region today
Blizzard and snow squall warnings have rolled across much of southern Ontario – with up to 15 centimeters expected today, and blowing snow reducing visibility on roadways.
Kitchener
-
Marathon budget meeting ends without setting Waterloo Region budget
Waterloo Region Council was expected to set the 2025 budget on Wednesday, but after a marathon meeting, councillors left the horseshoe without making a final decision.
-
Settlement reached in complaint over Canada Post layoffs as strike hits four weeks
The union representing Canada Post workers says an unfair labour practice complaint over the company's layoffs has been resolved.
-
Stanley cups recalled over 'burn hazard'
A recall notice is in effect for a selection of Stanley travel mugs, warning consumers to 'immediately stop using' them.
Northern Ontario
-
Stanley cups recalled over 'burn hazard'
A recall notice is in effect for a selection of Stanley travel mugs, warning consumers to 'immediately stop using' them.
-
She took a DNA test for fun. Police used it to charge her grandmother with murder in a cold case
According to court documents, detectives reopened the cold case in 2017 and then worked with a forensics company to extract DNA from Baby Garnet's partial femur, before sending the results to Identifinders International.
-
Stabbing in wooded area of Sudbury results in attempted murder charge
Sudbury police have charged a man, 28, with attempted murder after a stabbing in wooded area off Leslie Street on Wednesday night.
N.L.
-
Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador announce energy deal to resolve decades-old dispute
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador have reached a sweeping deal to develop new energy projects in Labrador and end a decades-old contract that has long been a thorn in the side of Canada's easternmost province.
-
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador expected to sign Churchill Falls energy deal
Quebec Premier François Legault and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey are scheduled to announce an energy agreement Thursday that could end decades of friction between the two provinces.
-
Newfoundland towns light up harbours to honour fishers and pray for their safety
On a twinkling wharf in a small Newfoundland town, a crowd of about 100 people stopped singing and chatting on Friday night to bow their heads in a moment of silence for local fish harvesters.
