Montreal police arrest 18-year-old suspect accused of extorting of Griffintown restaurant
Posted March 19, 2025 12:24 pm.
Last Updated March 19, 2025 12:28 pm.
Montreal police confirm the arrest of an 18-year-old suspect, as part of an investigation into crimes that targeted a restaurant on Peel Street, in the Griffintown area, last summer.
Arrested in a detention centre on a warrant, the suspect appeared at the Montreal courthouse on Feb. 27.
He is charged with extortion, possession of explosives, and possession of incendiary materials. He remains in custody and is scheduled to appear again today to discuss his release.
On July 12, 2024, Montreal police received a 911 call at around 5 a.m. after gunfire was heard on Wellington near Peel Street.
Officers located impacts from firearm projectiles on the restaurant’s windows — on the second floor of the building and found a shell casing on the ground.
There were no reported injuries.
According to the police at the time, the suspects were in a vehicle before opening fire and fleeing.
“The next day, a then-unidentified individual entered the restaurant and spoke briefly to a staff member,” said the SPVM in a press release. “The suspect then turned around. Before disappearing, he placed a box he was carrying near the restaurant’s front door. It contained a threatening handwritten note and an incendiary object.”
Following this, the SPVM’s arson squad was able to identify the suspect and arrest him.
