Arrest warrant out for man connected to Elnaz Hajtamiri kidnapping in Wasaga Beach

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has issued an arrest warrant for a man believed to be involved in the kidnapping of Elnaz Hajtamiri, who was forcibly taken from a home in Wasaga Beach over a year ago.

On Monday, police in York Region charged a fifth person connected to a separate frying-pan attack on Hajtamiri that occurred at an underground garage in Richmond Hill in December 2021.

On Jan. 12, 2022, at around 8:30 p.m., less than a month after the frying-pan attack, police say Hajtamiri was abducted from a residence in Wasaga Beach by three suspects dressed in police costumes.

In an update from provincial police, investigators say they have identified one of those suspects as 35-year-old Deshawn Davis of Toronto, who remains wanted.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Deshawn Davis, 35, of Toronto. Photo: OPP.

The two other persons of interest have not yet been identified, and police have released their photos with the hopes of gathering information. OPP believes the man and woman are residing in the Greater Toronto Area.

Hajtamiri remains missing, and a $100,000 reward for information about her whereabouts has been offered.

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OPP says investigators are still looking to identify one, or potentially two, individuals of interest who rented vehicles in December 2021, around the same time Hajtamiri was assaulted in Richmond Hill. Authorities say they are not suspects in the kidnapping, but police would like to speak with them as they may have information about the case.

Ontario Provincial Police released images of one or two persons of interest who rented vehicles in York Region in December 2021, around the same time Hajtamiri was assaulted. Photo: OPP.

Hajtimiri has not been seen since police say she was abducted from a relative’s home in Wasaga Beach by three suspects armed with a gun, wearing imitation police gear and disguised in balaclavas. They fled in what is believed to be a white Lexus RX sport utility vehicle.

Hajtamiri, who would now be 38 years old, is described as five-foot-four with a slim build, shoulder-length brown hair, and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a dark knitted sweater, black tights/leggings and light-coloured socks.

The incident has led to pleas from the victim’s family for more information. Her mother, Fariba Hajtamiri, has said the family is “living a desperate life” in an attempt to find a resolution to the disappearance.

With files from Michael Talbot of CityNews