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CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
The price of extortion: Montreal bar and restaurant owners face escalating threats
An SPVM police shoulder patch is seen on an officer in Montreal, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi Police fanned out in several Montreal neighbourhoods in a major operation cracking down on extortion. Police say 13 suspects were arrested after 150 officers conducted the raids on Wednesday. They also seized guns and cash. They allege they are going after groups orchestrating attacks on bars and restaurants, part of extortion schemes that have raised alarm in recent weeks. Last month, the head of the Union of Quebec Bar Owners Peter Sergakis sent a letter to Quebec Premier Francois Legault and Montreal Chief of Police Fady Dagher calling for authorities to do more to combat extortion and organized crime. 'Extortion was always there,' said Sergakis. 'But not like this, not this violent.' Montreal gangs are using a modus operandi criminals the world over have used for generations. They demand protection money from owners, and if the owners refuse to pay up, criminals threaten, firebomb, or shoot at their businesses. Montreal Police have mounted a campaign to warn owners against handing over money. They have visited 800 businesses over the last few months urging them to report all extortion attempts. 'They think they are buying peace,' said the head of the Montreal Police organized crime unit Francis Renaud. 'But trust me, they are not buying the peace. They are going to make you pay until the end.' In recent weeks, a wave of attacks has hit restaurants and bars in the city. Surveillance video showed six suspects carrying what appear to be gas cans near the door of a small café in Old Montreal. They smash the window, go in and seconds later smoke starts to emerge from the scene. At least one of the suspects is seen running away on fire. Police later arrested a man who showed up in hospital with burns. They are continuing their investigation but suspect the attackers got the wrong address, that the resto-bar next door may have been the intended target. 'This is the stuff you see in Italy,' said the owner who did not want to be identified. 'Pay or we will blow it up.' Experts say extortion threats aimed at business owners happen in many Canadian cities. In Montreal, the reason for the escalating violence is not clear, though police have considered whether it is linked to the changing landscape in the city's underworld. For decades, biker gangs and Italian crime groups controlled a large share of organized crime activities. In recent years, several street gangs have entered the scene and are fighting for a share of extortion money. 'Violence occurs even before threats,' said Renaud. But police also say the major operation they conducted on Wednesday shows that when acts of intimidation are brought to their attention, they can deliver effective blows against those responsible.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
The price of extortion: Montreal bar and restaurant owners face escalating threats
An SPVM police shoulder patch is seen on an officer in Montreal, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi Police fanned out in several Montreal neighbourhoods in a major operation cracking down on extortion. Police say 13 suspects were arrested after 150 officers conducted the raids on Wednesday. They also seized guns and cash. They allege they are going after groups orchestrating attacks on bars and restaurants, part of extortion schemes that have raised alarm in recent weeks. Last month, the head of the Union of Quebec Bar Owners Peter Sergakis sent a letter to Quebec Premier Francois Legault and Montreal Chief of Police Fady Dagher calling for authorities to do more to combat extortion and organized crime. 'Extortion was always there,' said Sergakis. 'But not like this, not this violent.' Montreal gangs are using a modus operandi criminal the world over have used for generations. They demand protection money from owners, and if the owners refuse to pay up, criminals threaten, firebomb, or shoot at their businesses. Montreal Police have mounted a campaign to warn owners against handing over money. They have visited 800 businesses over the last few months urging them to report all extortion attempts. 'They think they are buying peace,' said the head of the Montreal Police organized crime unit Francis Renaud. 'But trust me, they are not buying the peace. They are going to make you pay until the end.' In recent weeks, a wave of attacks has hit restaurants and bars in the city. Surveillance video showed six suspects carrying what appear to be gas cans near the door of a small café in Old Montreal. They smash the window, go in and seconds later smoke starts to emerge from the scene. At least one of the suspects is seen running away on fire. Police later arrested a man who showed up in hospital with burns. They are continuing their investigation but suspect the attackers got the wrong address, that the resto-bar next door may have been the intended target. 'This is the stuff you see in Italy,' said the owner who did not want to be identified. 'Pay or we will blow it up.' Experts say extortion threats aimed at business owners happen in many Canadian cities. In Montreal, the reason for the escalating is not clear, though police have considered whether it is linked to the changing landscape in the city's underworld. For decades, biker gangs and Italian crime groups controlled a large share of organized crime activities. In recent years, several street gangs have entered the scene and are fighting for a share of extortion money. 'Violence occurs even before threats,' said Renaud. But police also say the major operation they conducted on Wednesday shows that when acts of intimidation are brought to their attention, they can deliver effective blows against those responsible.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
‘Major police operation' into Montreal restaurant extortion underway
The Montreal police (SPVM) arson squad is investigating after a window was smashed and bar set on fire on April 28, 2025. (Scott Prouse/CTV News) A 'major police operation' is underway early Wednesday morning in Montreal, Châteauguay, on the South Shore, and Laval, on the North Shore, in relation to the alleged extortion of restaurant owners. 'Several arrests and searches are planned,' said Montreal police (SPVM), noting almost 100 officers are involved in the procedure. 'The the result of criminal investigations into extortion against restaurant owners.' The operation is in collaboration with the southern region's firearms unit (EMAF) and the narcotics unit. An update to the raids is expected later on in the day. This comes after numerous restaurants in the Greater Montreal area have been targeted by alleged arsonists in the last few months. READ MORE: Union of Quebec bar owners calls for tougher crackdown on organized crime and extortion Additionally, the home of one of the co-founders of A5 Hospitality was targeted twice by gunshots. The wave of fire bombings led Quebec Bar Owners Association President Peter Sergakis to pen an emphatic letter to the province, demanding that more be done to crack down on organized crime. 'Extortion has always always there, but not like this. This is extremely violent and it's totally unacceptable,' said Sergakis. READ MORE: Police say recent string of violent crime at Montreal bars and restaurants is connected Montreal police confirmed that there have been at least 20 extortion attempts against bars and restaurants since the beginning of the year. 'What we're seeing on the street, I cannot tell you exactly why, but they're related,' Organized Crime Squad Commander Francis Renaud told CTV News.
Montreal Gazette
16-05-2025
- Montreal Gazette
Restaurant and bar owners want Quebec and the police to address crime wave
Montreal Crime By In his more than 50 years doing business in Montreal, Peter Sergakis says he's never seen anything like the recent wave of crime targeting restaurants, bars and their owners in the Greater Montreal area. During an interview on Wednesday, Sergakis called on authorities to take action to address the escalating violence before more businesses fall prey. 'Extortion, firebombings, gunshots — it should not be tolerated,' said Sergakis, who argued owners feel abandoned by police and the government. 'Everybody is afraid.' A well-known restaurant and bar owner, Sergakis is also the president of the Union des tenanciers de bars du Québec, which represents some 800 licensed business owners in the province. On Monday, the group sent a letter to Premier François Legault, Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel and Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher about the situation. Sergakis said the problem has been ongoing for the past two years. But he felt compelled to take action after gunshots were fired at a home on Nuns' Island last week while a business owner, his partner and their children were all inside. 'After a brief lull, we are now powerless witnesses to an escalation of violence that is largely affecting licensed establishments in the Greater Montreal area,' the letter states. 'In the last few days alone, four establishments have been targeted by serious criminal acts.' Sergakis says he's personally heard from up to 20 owners who have been targeted by intimidation tactics or extortion attempts. He believes there are many more, but noted that many of them are afraid to speak out. The Montreal police have reported several similar incidents in recent weeks, but have not confirmed a larger connection between any of them. In addition to the Nuns' Island shooting, a bar in the city's Plateau-Mont-Royal borough was targeted by gunfire, as was a home in Ahuntsic-Cartierville and a bakery in Little Italy. Over the span of 24 hours in late April, three bars in LaSalle caught fire. In 2023, several police departments launched a joint unit to crack down on an extortion ring targeting businesses owned by members of the Arab community in Laval and Montreal's St-Laurent borough. Police had described how cafés, bars and restaurants were being targeted by gunfire and arson attempts. Many of the cases involved protection rackets, with criminals offering business owners 'protection' in exchange for fixed monthly payments. Those who failed to pay would be targeted by the same criminals. On Wednesday, Sergakis said that in his opinion, the recent wave of crime is '100 times worse' than anything he has seen in the past. He criticized the Montreal police, saying they are not taking the situation as seriously as it deserves to be, and questioned what it will take for authorities to act. 'I have members that are calling me and have been approached by people to collect (money),' Sergakis said. 'These owners are afraid. They're not used to this kind of intimidation,' he continued. 'They have a hard time surviving in business, of making a go at it. They don't need people threatening them.' The Montreal police department and Legault's office did not respond to requests for comment by deadline Wednesday. In an email response, a spokesperson for Bonnardel's office said he has received the letter and will be responding to Sergakis shortly. 'We understand the concerns of bar owners,' the spokesperson said. 'The minister has also made similar observations.' This story was originally published May 14, 2025 at 4:26 PM.
Toronto Sun
15-05-2025
- Toronto Sun
Quebec restaurant and bar owners call on province, police to address crime wave
Group says owners have faced intimidation and extortion threats. Published May 14, 2025 • Last updated 15 hours ago • 3 minute read Bar and restaurant owner Peter Sergakis says that in his opinion, the recent wave of crime is "100 times worse" than anything he has seen in the past. John Mahoney/Montreal Gazette In his more than 50 years doing business in Montreal, Peter Sergakis says he's never seen anything like the recent wave of crime targeting restaurants, bars and their owners in the Greater Montreal area. 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 During an interview on Wednesday, Sergakis called on authorities to take action to address the escalating violence before more businesses fall prey. 'Extortion, firebombings, gunshots — it should not be tolerated,' said Sergakis, who argued owners feel abandoned by police and the government. 'Everybody is afraid.' A well-known restaurant and bar owner, Sergakis is also the president of the Union des tenanciers de bars du Québec, which represents some 800 licensed business owners in the province. On Monday, the group sent a letter to Premier François Legault, Quebec Public Security Minister François Bonnardel and Montreal police Chief Fady Dagher about the situation. Sergakis said the problem has been ongoing for the past two years. But he felt compelled to take action after gunshots were fired at a home on Nuns' Island last week while a business owner, his partner and their children were all inside. 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. 'After a brief lull, we are now powerless witnesses to an escalation of violence that is largely affecting licensed establishments in the Greater Montreal area,' the letter states. 'In the last few days alone, four establishments have been targeted by serious criminal acts.' Sergakis says he's personally heard from up to 20 owners who have been targeted by intimidation tactics or extortion attempts. He believes there are many more, but noted that many of them are afraid to speak out. The Montreal police have reported several similar incidents in recent weeks, but have not confirmed a larger connection between any of them. In addition to the Nuns' Island shooting, a bar in the city's Plateau-Mont-Royal borough was targeted by gunfire, as was a home in Ahuntsic-Cartierville and a bakery in Little Italy. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Over the span of 24 hours in late April, three bars in LaSalle caught fire. In 2023, several police departments launched a joint unit to crack down on an extortion ring targeting businesses owned by members of the Arab community in Laval and Montreal's St-Laurent borough. Police had described how cafés, bars and restaurants were being targeted by gunfire and arson attempts. Many of the cases involved protection rackets, with criminals offering business owners 'protection' in exchange for fixed monthly payments. Those who failed to pay would be targeted by the same criminals. On Wednesday, Sergakis said that in his opinion, the recent wave of crime is '100 times worse' than anything he has seen in the past. He criticized the Montreal police, saying they are not taking the situation as seriously as it deserves to be, and questioned what it will take for authorities to act. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I have members that are calling me and have been approached by people to collect (money),' Sergakis said. 'These owners are afraid. They're not used to this kind of intimidation,' he continued. 'They have a hard time surviving in business, of making a go at it. They don't need people threatening them.' The Montreal police department and Legault's office did not respond to requests for comment by deadline Wednesday. In an email response, a spokesperson for Bonnardel's office said he has received the letter and will be responding to Sergakis shortly. 'We understand the concerns of bar owners,' the spokesperson said. 'The minister has also made similar observations.' Toronto Maple Leafs Relationships Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls World
