3 Canadian Armed Forces members charged in criminal probe that began as investigation into violent abduction: Toronto police

A Toronto Police Services logo is shown at headquarters, in Toronto, on Friday, August 9, 2019. Toronto police say they have charged a private cello teacher related to allegations of sexually assaulting a student in late May. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Three members of the Canadian Armed Forces are among seven arrested in a major criminal investigation that police say began as a probe into a violent abduction in Toronto back in July.

Police said 82 criminal charges have now been laid in the case, including kidnapping for ransom, forcible confinement, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Speaking during a news conference on Wednesday morning, Supt. Joe Matthews said the investigation began in July following the violent abduction of a man near Finch and Bayview avenues on July 25.

He said a victim was targeted as he approached his vehicle and was handcuffed and assaulted.

The suspects, Matthews said, attempted to gain access to the victim’s cryptocurrency assets and “business-related security systems.” They eventually let the man go with a warning not to contact police, he added.

Within 24 hours, Matthews said, a suspect vehicle was identified and two suspects were arrested.

He said the case “quickly unfolded” and turned into a much broader probe involving firearms and drugs.

Following the execution of search warrants, Matthews said officers seized firearms, illicit drugs, and ammunition. About 2,500 rounds that were recovered by police were later found to have been stolen from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), he said.

Matthews said the CAF did not report the ammunition as stolen to police but confirmed that the ammunition seized by police belonged to the military.

Other items seized include a shotgun, firearms with 3D printed receivers, GPS tracking devices, a large quantity of methamphetamine, cocaine and other controlled substances, a crossbow and arrows, and Canadian currency.

Investigators said they are continuing to examine the ties between all of the seven accused but noted that three of the men, identified by police as Talarambage Fernando, James Moreau and Jack Miley, are all CAF members. Two were members of the same regimen, Matthews said.

Earlier this month, the Department of National Defence confirmed the arrests of Fernando, 22, and Moreau, 29. Officials noted that the two accused had been removed from military duties in the wake of the criminal investigation.

The Department of National Defence said Fernando and Moreau hold the rank of bombardier and are members of the 7th Toronto Regiment, a reserve artillery unit that is part of Canada’s 32 Canadian Brigade. The unit is based out of the Moss Park Armoury, located at 130 Queen Street East.

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Matthews said the investigation highlights the “increasingly sophisticated and targeted nature of crimes involving digital assets.”

He called the CAF members “highly trained individuals with access to firearms.”

“Criminals continue to adapt their methods and seek new opportunities for financial gain,” Matthews said in a news release.

“This investigation demonstrates our commitment to pursuing offenders who use violence, intimidation, and firearms to target victims.”

There are no outstanding suspects but the investigation is continuing, Matthews said.

While the suspects have not been tied to any organized gang, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said the risk they posed to the community and responding officers is “concerning.”

“When you are dealing people who have a degree of training as we do with members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are prepared to engage in what is alleged here, taking somebody off the street by force, that is incredibly concerning,” Demkiw said.

“We’ll continue the investigation, looking at cellphones and computers that have been seized but as you now, we are often hampered by encryption and the ability to see the activity of criminals who conspire and organize to commit various acts.”

With files from CP24’s Joshua McGinnis