Latest news with #NormLipinski
Vancouver Sun
2 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Surrey police vow to tackle extortion threats 'head on'
Concerned that not all victims of an extortion scheme targeting members of B.C.'s South Asian community have come forward, Surrey police are urging anyone who has received threats to contact them. 'It is critical to all of us … that we tackle this trend of extortions head on, with significant police resources and intelligence-led investigative work,' Surrey Police Service Chief Norm Lipinski said Friday. 'It is equally important that we collaborate with the victims and the broader community so we can deal with this issue together.' The extortion scheme, which has been reported in cities across Canada , often involves a letter, phone call or social media message demanding money and threatening violence. The person often references criminal connections and activities outside Surrey, said police. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Over the past six month, there have been 10 reports of extortion attempts in Surrey. But the scheme goes back farther than that, with threats and drive-by shootings first reported in B.C. in 2023. The murder of businessman Satwinder Sharma at his Fleetwood office on Wednesday afternoon has heightened tensions even more. Homicide investigators believe the shooting was targeted, and have not linked it to the extortion scheme. Satish Kumar, another Surrey businessman whose banquet hall was shot at earlier this week after he received a threatening phone call, is helping to organize a public safety forum at Reflections Banquet Hall on Sunday. He said it is important not to give in or the demands will escalate. 'I'm not afraid. The maximum they can do is kill me. I'm ready for that shot, and my family is ready for that shot. What happens, happens. You die one time, what are you going to do?' he told Postmedia on Thursday. Surrey Police will be at the forum, which starts at 2 p.m. They said investigators are working with the RCMP and other regional police agencies with similar investigations and remain in contact with the RCMP national coordination and support team. Surrey Police also has its own extortion investigation team to respond to all reported extortion attempts in parts of Surrey where SPS is leading operations during the police transition. They have also stepped up patrols in business areas. RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat, the officer in charge of Surrey RCMP during the transition, said police are worried there could be other victims who may have complied with extortion demands. 'We discourage anyone from responding to such demands. Officers are working to prevent these traumatizing situations and to hold those responsible to account,' she said. Surrey journalist Gurpreet Sahota said he has learned that two people came into Sharma's office on the second floor of an office complex near 84 Avenue and 160 Street under the pretence of seeking work. Police responded to an emergency call about a shooting at 3:45 p.m. They found Sharma suffering from life-threatening injuries. He died at the scene. The office complex houses 15 businesses, including a hair salon, dentist and travel agency. Staff in some of the other offices hid under their desks after hearing gunshots. Sahota said he had spoke to a friend of Sharma who confirmed the businessman had been the target of an extortion attempt two years ago, but believed the shooting might not be related. 'Everybody is scared, especially people with money,' Sahota told Postmedia on Thursday. 'It feels like nobody is listening or taking these issues seriously.' Sharma was involved in several B.C. businesses, including Dynamic WorkForce , which claims to be B.C.'s largest provider of farm labour. B.C. employment records show the company is authorized to hire more than 300 employees as a farm labour contractor. In 2024, Sharma was honoured at the South Asian Construction Excellence Awards as best builder of the year in the single-family home category. The company's website says it has completed projects in Maple Ridge, South Surrey, Coquitlam and Mission. Court records also show Sharma was once part-owner of a B.C. sawmill. On Thursday, a police car was parked outside his family's estate in Abbotsford. At one point, dozens of guests arrived, parking at the side of the quiet rural road. Signs on the black wrought-iron gate warned that the premises was protected by video surveillance. Reached by phone, family members declined to speak to Postmedia. gluymes@
Global News
2 days ago
- Global News
Surrey police launch counter-extortion team amid growing fears
A series of reports of extortion from people and businesses in the South Asian community has prompted a wider investigation by police in Surrey, B.C. The Surrey Police Service says in a statement that it is working with provincial and national RCMP to help in their investigations, as numerous Canadian police agencies have reported similar crimes. Police say they've had 10 complaints over the last six months of people getting letters, phone calls or social media messages demanding money under threats of violence. The service says it has launched its own extortion investigations team and will be attending a public safety forum on Sunday in the city organized by members of the South Asian community. 2:00 Two Delta men arrested in murder of 51-year-old Brampton man Similar extortion threats emerged last year and violence that followed included arsons and shootings, which police in Ontario, Alberta and B.C. said were linked to organized crime in the Indian state of Punjab. Story continues below advertisement Surrey Police Chief Norm Lipinski says it's important to tackle the trend of extortions head-on, but it's equally important to collaborate with victims and the broader community to deal with it together. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat, with the Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit, says they are concerned there may be more victims who have complied with demands and haven't gone to police. 'We discourage anyone from responding to such demands. Officers are working to prevent these traumatizing situations and to holding those responsible to account.'
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Surrey, B.C., police launch team to counter extortions in South Asian community
SURREY – A series of reports of extortion from people and businesses in the South Asian community has prompted a wider investigation by police in Surrey, B.C. The Surrey Police Service says in a statement that it is working with provincial and national RCMP to help in their investigations, as numerous Canadian police agencies have reported similar crimes. Police say they've had 10 complaints over the last six months of people getting letters, phone calls or social media messages demanding money under threats of violence. The service says it has launched its own extortion investigations team and will be attending a public safety forum on Sunday in the city organized by members of the South Asian community. Similar extortion threats emerged last year and violence that followed included arsons and shootings, which police in Ontario, Alberta and B.C. said were linked to organized crime in the Indian state of Punjab. Surrey Police Chief Norm Lipinski says it's important to tackle the trend of extortions head-on, but it's equally important to collaborate with victims and the broader community to deal with it together. RCMP Chief Supt. Wendy Mehat, with the Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit, says they are concerned there may be more victims who have complied with demands and haven't gone to police. 'We discourage anyone from responding to such demands. Officers are working to prevent these traumatizing situations and to holding those responsible to account.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 13, 2025.
