4 arrested in Toronto kidnapping, victim held hostage for days at gunpoint: police

Four people were arrested in connection with a kidnapping in downtown Toronto that saw the suspects demand a hefty ransom and threaten the victim and their family.

Toronto police were notified of a missing person in the city’s downtown core on Dec. 5, 2022.

It’s alleged that the victim was lured into a vehicle by the suspects, and once inside the vehicle, two suspects pointed firearms at them. Local authorities did not provide a precise location of where the kidnapping occurred.

Police said the victim was held captive for three days and taken to various locations where they were repeatedly assaulted. A firearm was discharged, though it’s unclear if the victim was shot.

It’s alleged that the suspects later released the victim in downtown Toronto and demanded a large amount of Canadian currency. Police said the victim’s life and family were threatened.

Investigators arrested four people in July 2023. A loaded handgun was recovered on one of the suspects when they were taken into custody.

Police identified the suspects as 24-year-old Deren Akyeam-Pong of Toronto, 24-year-old Rakeem Henry of London, Ont., 39-year-old Akil Heywood of Toronto, and 37-year-old Tyler Fast of Toronto.

Akyeam-Pong faces 22 criminal offences, including kidnapping, kidnapping for ransom, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, pointing a firearm, forcible confinement, discharging a firearm and aggravated assault, among other charges.

Henry faces 15 charges, including kidnapping, kidnapping for ransom, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, pointing a firearm, forcible confinement and aggravated assault.

Heywood faces five charges, including kidnapping, kidnapping for ransom, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, forcible confinement and two counts of extortion.

Fast is facing four charges: kidnapping, kidnapping for ransom, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, and forcible confinement.

All four appeared in court last week.