Teens accused of planning to kidnap victim in Markham extortion probe: police

A York Regional Police vehicle is pictured in this file photo. (Simon Sheehan /CP24)

Two teens are among three people charged in an extortion investigation after allegedly planning to kidnap a victim at a home in Markham last weekend, York Regional Police say.

Police say they were called to a home near Prince William Drive and Swansea Road, near Highway 7 and Kennedy Road, on June 13 for a report of three suspicious males.

The masked suspects, police said, arrived at the residence that day and demanded to speak with the victim.

“When officers arrived, they located the three suspects in front of the residence. The suspects were arrested and one suspect was found in possession of a replica firearm,” they said in a news release issued Wednesday.

“Through the investigation, it was determined the incident was connected to an ongoing extortion. Investigators believe that an individual was being targeted for a kidnapping.”

Three males from Toronto, ages 16, 17, and 19, are facing several charges, including conspiracy to commit and indictable offence, disguise with intent, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.