A 61-year-old Vaughan man has been arrested after a woman reported she was threatened with death if she didn't give $60,000 to an individual.
The woman went to a York Regional Police station on Sept. 26 to report she met with a man regarding a loan, when she was told she had to pay $60,000 or she would be killed. A man then said he knew where she and her family members lived, according to a police news release.
The victim was able to leave, police said.
A suspect identified through investigation was on federal parole for previous criminal convictions for unrelated offences, police said.
Phillip MacDonald is charged with extortion, criminal harassment, uttering death threats, possess substance for the purpose of trafficking, possession of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of stolen property obtained by crime.
While an arrest has been made, the investigation is ongoing, police added.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #4 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, leave an anonymous tip online.
