A 26-year-old man is facing more charges after a series of extortions and arsons in Winnipeg last year.
Investigators learned a man arrested this fall in connection with at least three attempts to extort money from retailers was involved in the planning and organization of the incidents, Winnipeg police said in a release Wednesday.
Fires were set at a warehouse on Spruce Street and two convenience stores on Selkirk Avenue, police said previously, with three convenience stores — two on Selkirk and one on Main Street — paying in exchange for protection from arson.
There was also a theft at a retail business on Portage Avenue, not far from the west Perimeter Highway.
The incidents happened between July 16 and July 23. Police previously said seven people, including Jahaid Hossain Maruf, were connected to the incidents.
Maruf, from Kitchener, Ont., was arrested in October and charged with two counts of extortion.
Police announced Wednesday he is facing seven additional charges, including five counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence (extortion). He is also charged with one count each of arson causing damage to property and arson with disregard for human life.
Two people out of the seven police said were connected to the incidents remain at large, with Canada-wide warrants still in effect.
Jermaine Weekes, left, and Farhan Nabil are wanted on Canada-wide warrants in connection with extortion and arson-related offences. (Submitted by Winnipeg Police Service)
Jermaine Weekes, 40, is wanted for two counts of extortion. Farhan Nabil, 29, is wanted for four counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, two counts of arson and two counts of extortion.
Police asked anyone with information about where they are to call police at 204-986-6219 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers online or at 204-786-8477 (TIPS).