The Surrey Police Service (SPS) has charged three men in connection with a shooting believed to be part of a growing extortion network targeting Surrey residents and businesses.
Police say the arrests mark the first major breakthrough in an ongoing investigation that has deeply affected the city’s South Asian community.
The incident took place on March 27, when officers responded to multiple gunshots fired at a home on 89A Avenue near 132 Street. The residence was damaged by bullets, but no injuries were reported.
Following a months-long investigation, SPS identified three suspects and executed several search warrants. On October 3, officers arrested three men aged 20, 23, and 26. The BC Prosecution Service has charged them each with one count of recklessly discharging a firearm.
Chief Constable Norm Lipinski called the arrests a “positive step forward” in the city’s fight against extortion crimes. The SPS established a dedicated investigative team in June to tackle the rising number of threats and shootings.
As of this week, police are investigating 56 extortion-related cases, including 31 that involved gunfire. Many of the threats target business owners and families through letters, calls, and social media messages.
These arrests come amid broader efforts to combat extortion in the region. Last month, Surrey City Council approved a $250,000 reward fund for information leading to convictions, and the provincial government committed additional funding to support a specialized task force.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Surrey Extortion Tip Line at 236-485-5149, monitored daily by investigators with Punjabi-speaking officers available.
