The suspects were arrested after getting into a rideshare vehicle, say police
Three men are in custody after an alleged extortion-related shooting at a home in Surrey, B.C., say police.
Police patrolling the Crescent Beach neighbourhood responded to reports of shots fired at a home near Crescent Road and 132 Street at about 3:50 a.m. PT Sunday, according to a Surrey Police Service (SPS) news release.
Police said firefighters extinguished a small fire by a fence on the property and the home was damaged by gunfire. No one was reported injured.
SPS officers located a “suspect vehicle” nearby, according to the release, and the occupants fled on foot.
The suspects were arrested near 28 Avenue and 140 Street “after getting into a rideshare vehicle,” according to the release.
Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said at a news conference Sunday afternoon that the men were in the rideshare vehicle when they were arrested.
“We believe that [the rideshare vehicle] was obtained not that long before our officers were able to locate it,” said Houghton.
“It was safely stopped, and we know who the rideshare driver was, and the three people inside [were] safely taken into custody,” he said.
No weapons have been recovered, Houghton added.
The men have not been charged and SPS is investigating whether they are connected to the shooting.
Investigators have also seized two vehicles, according to the release.
The officers were part of a program called Project Assurance that has police “proactively patrol” residential and business areas targeted by extortion.
A wave of extortion crimes has been threatening South Asian communities in B.C.’s Lower Mainland, particularly Surrey. Business owners and residents receive a letter, phone call or text message from an anonymous figure demanding cash and threatening their livelihood unless they pay.
Anyone with information, including CCTV or dashcam footage, is asked to contact Surrey police’s non-emergency number.
