Second suspect charged in frying pan assault on Elnaz Hajtamiri
Posted September 27, 2022 1:47 pm.
Last Updated September 27, 2022 1:52 pm.
York Regional Police have arrested a second man in connection with a violent assault on a 37-year-old woman who was kidnapped weeks later in Wasaga Beach.
On Dec. 20, 2021, police officers say Elnaz Hajtamiri was attacked by two males and hit with a frying pan in an underground parking garage on King William Crescent, in the area of Yonge Street and Bantry Avenue of Richmond Hill.
Investigators say a passerby intervened and the suspects fled in a vehicle. The passerby was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect vehicle, which hasn’t been recovered, was deemed to be stolen from the area of Don Mills Road and Finch Avenue East in Toronto.
Police officers say they arrested Harshdeep Binner, 24, from Brampton, on Sept. 19 after issuing a Canada-wide arrest warrant back in mid-April.
The second suspect, Riyasat Singh, 23, from Brampton, was arrested on April 13 after police conducted a search warrant at a residence in Brampton.
Both have been charged with attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and mischief over $5,000. They remain in custody.
York Region police say they are continuing to work closely with the OPP in its ongoing investigation into Hajtamiri’s kidnapping.
Charges laid in Hajtamiri kidnapping
In June, Ontario Provincial Police charged a man with the alleged abduction of Hajtamiri from a home in Wasaga Beach back in January.
Police say Elnaz Hajtamiri — who also goes by the surname Tamiri — was taken from a residence by three suspects dressed in police gear on the evening of Jan. 12, 2022. She has still not been found.
Investigators say the suspects fled with Hajtamiri in what is believed to be a white 2016-2022 model Lexus RX sport utility vehicle. OPP officers have linked the abduction with an assault on Hajtamiri that occurred in an underground parking lot in Richmond Hill.
Police have charged Mohamad Lilo, 35, from Brossard, Que., with kidnapping related to the 2022 incident in Wasaga Beach. He is also charged with attempted murder and attempted kidnapping in connection with the alleged separate attack in Richmond Hill.
