Peel Regional Police have charged three Brampton men in connection with an extortion investigation that followed a shooting at a local business late last month.
On April 30, officers were called to reports of gunfire at a commercial premises near Queen Street and Kennedy Road South in Brampton. Although the building was empty at the time, the business owner subsequently received threatening messages demanding a payment to avoid further violence.
A coordinated operation by the force’s Extortion Investigative Task Force, supported by surveillance and community response teams, led to the arrest of 34-year-old Harpal Singh, 20-year-old Rajnoor Singh and 22-year-old Eknoor Singh the following day.
All three suspects face extortion charges and were remanded in custody ahead of a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton.
Community leaders have praised the police response, but stress that more needs to be done. Local restaurant owner Priya Sharma said many small-business operators remain terrified.
“When you open your doors every morning, you shouldn’t have to wonder if this is the day someone comes with a gun,” she said.
“We need clear messaging from all levels of government that these crimes will not be tolerated.”
Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said the arrests highlight the police’s determination to shield honest businesses from coercion and terror.
“Our investigators are relentless, and we will use every tool available at our disposal to identify, arrest and hold those who commit these offences accountable,” he said, adding that no business owner should have to live in fear for doing honest work.
The recent arrests form part of a broader campaign launched by Peel police in December 2023 after a “disturbing trend” of extortion attempts targeting the South Asian business community emerged. That task force has investigated more than 60 extortion-related incidents—nine of which involved unoccupied premises being shot at—and has laid over 150 charges while seizing firearms and other evidence.
As the investigation continues, police are urging any victim of a demand for money under threat of violence to contact the Extortion Investigative Task Force confidentially at 1-866-966-0616 or via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
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