NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau have laid charges and are seeking an outstanding suspect in connection with an investigation into currency exchange robberies and kidnappings.
In February and March 2021, investigators received several reports of incidents of currency exchange robberies. In these incidents, victims have either answered ads or been in contact with unknown suspects over social media platforms such as WeChat, Yorkbbs and 51.ca. The victims arranged to meet with the suspects to exchange Canadian currency for Chinese currency at what they believed would be a cheaper rate than offered by financial institutions. When the victims arrived at the meeting location, they were assaulted or threatened and robbed of the money they brought with them to exchange. Victims have lost thousands of dollars and in some cases they have suffered physical injuries.
As part of the investigation, officers attended the City of Toronto on March 23, 2021 to canvass for video surveillance. Officers located a vehicle being operated by the suspects while a kidnapping and robbery was taking place. Officers were able to stop the vehicle and rescue the victim. Two of the suspects were arrested at the scene and officers recovered a taser and a loaded handgun.
Two suspects fled from the area on foot. One suspect was identified and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On April 22, 2021, Jiapeng Wu, was arrested by the Toronto Police Service. On Thursday, April 29, 2021, he was taken into custody by York Regional Police and is now facing charges. The fourth suspect remains outstanding.
CHARGED:
- Haoran David Du, 28, of Toronto
- Ameer Ibrahim, 23, of Toronto
- Jiapeng Wu, 19, of no fixed address
CHARGES INCLUDE:
- Assault with a weapon
- Assault/choking
- Careless use of a firearm
- Carrying a concealed weapon
- Kidnapping
- Pointing a firearm
- Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized
- Possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition
- Possession of a weapon
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000
- Robbery with a firearm
- Tampering with the serial number of a firearm
- Theft over $5000
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
- Unauthorized possession of a prohibited device or ammunition
- Use of firearm during commission of an indictable offence .
York Regional Police reminds citizens to use caution when communicating with people you do not know online and avoid using unknown contacts or businesses for currency exchange.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
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