6th suspect arrested in Dec. 2021 attack on Elnaz Hajtamiri
Posted April 20, 2023 11:13 am.
Police in York Region have arrested a sixth suspect and continue to search for another in connection with the 2021 attack on Elnaz Hajtamiri in Richmond Hill.
Police said Hajtamiri was attacked and hit with a frying pan in an underground parking garage on King Wiliam Crescent, in the Yonge Street and Bantry Avenue area, on Dec. 20, 2021.
Hajtamiri was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and two suspects were spotted fleeing the scene in a vehicle.
Back in March 2023, police issued Canada-wide warrants for two suspects — 24-year-old Jaspreet Singh of Delta, B.C., and 23-year-old Sukhpreet Singh of Mississauga.
Police previously said both suspects were directly involved in the planning and execution of the attack.
In an update on Thursday, police said Jaspreet was arrested in Surrey, B.C., on April 15 and charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. He was transported back to York Region where he remains in police custody.
Police continue to search for Sukhpreet, who is wanted on charges of aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Sukhpreet Singh is wanted by police in connection with the 2021 attack on Elnaz Hajtamiri in Richmond Hill. HANDOUT/York Regional Police
In 2022, police arrested and charged three suspects in the attack. A fourth suspect was charged in February 2023, and a fifth one in March 2023.
One of the suspects, Mohammad Lilo, Elnaz’s ex-boyfriend, was charged with attempted murder and attempted kidnapping for his role in planning the attack. He is also charged in connection with her kidnapping, which occurred less than a month after the alleged attack.
Police said three suspects dressed in police gear abducted Hajtamiri from a relative’s residence in Wasaga Beach on the evening of Jan. 12, 2022. The suspects fled in a white Lexus RX sport utility vehicle.
Hajtamiri has not been seen since and police have offered a $100,000 reward for information on her whereabouts.
Earlier this month, Ontario Provincial Police arrested and charged a third person in connection with the kidnapping. Elnaz’s ex-boyfriend, Lilo, is also facing charges in connection with the alleged incident.
With files from John Marchesan and Michael Ranger of CityNews
