Ontario police have identified two of the three B.C. suspects wanted in connection with a recent attack on a man with autism.
Ronjot "Ron" Singh Dhami of Surrey and Parmvir "Parm" Singh Chahil of Abbotsford are wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for aggravated assault, Peel Regional Police revealed Wednesday.
Police believe both 25-year-old Dhami and 21-year-old Chahil took part in a disturbing assault at a bus terminal outside a mall in Mississauga last week.
But a criminal defence lawyer representing Dhami said it's nothing more than a case of mistaken identity, and that his client will be turning himself in to police to clear the confusion.
"He was surprised to see his picture on the TV that he is wanted for this assault so he retained me," Jag Virk told CP24. "He fully maintains his innocence and hopefully everyone can wait until all the facts and information comes out before rushing to judgement."
A man with autism was lacing up his inline skates on a staircase at Square One Shopping Centre when he was approached by three men. The suspects punched and kicked him repeatedly before fleeing the area.
Police said the 29-year-old victim suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, including a broken nose and cuts on his face.
The third suspect hasn't been identified, but investigators said he might go by the name Jason. He is also believed to be from the West Coast.
Both Dhami and Chahil have had run-ins with police in the past.
Dhami's family refused to speak to CTV News Wednesday. His relatives live near a school where he was well-liked as a child.
Since then, a dark turn led to an assault with a weapon conviction in 2011. Dhami was among those charged after a police sting in Alberta that netted several firearms.
Court records show Dhami was also involved in a strange incident in Kelowna, B.C. during which he tried to conceal 53 bags of heroin and cocaine.
According to the documents, he "removed drugs from his rectum, held the drugs hidden in his hand while he sat on the toilet, and had re-inserted the drugs in his rectum."
People who live in the Surrey neighbourhood where Dhami used to live told CTV News they still get regular visits from police looking for him.
Chahil has a record of uttering threats and weapons charges. He was reportedly living in an Abbotsford house that was targeted when an innocent man was caught in the crossfire.
Police don't know where any of the alleged attackers are, but said they could still be in the Greater Toronto Area.
Authorities have described the men as "extremely dangerous," and ask that anyone who knows of their whereabouts to call police immediately
