Bail hearing for man charged in Elnaz Hajtamiri's alleged assault, kidnapping attempt
Two men facing charges in the alleged assault and failed kidnapping attempt of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtamiri appeared in court Wednesday, with one seeking to be released from custody just days after his co-accused was granted bail.
Harshpreet Sekhon is charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence for his alleged role in the attack on Hajtamiri in her York Region parking garage in December 2021.
READ: Complete details on the Elnaz Hajtamiri investigation
Sekhon was arrested a month ago and is one of seven men now facing charges in connection with the alleged assault.
His bail hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Newmarket.
On Friday last week, Akash Rana was granted bail. He also faces charges of aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
Harshdeep Binner also appeared in court Wednesday, he is scheduled for another appearance next month. His lawyer declined to comment on his client's case.
Binner was arrested six months ago, accused of hitting Hajtamiri in the head with a frying pan during the alleged kidnapping attempt in Richmond Hill.
Police say Binner had been on the run since about April when investigators released suspect images of the two men believed to be responsible for the violent attack.
Binner and another man, Riyasat Singh, were arrested and charged with attempted murder and attempted kidnapping. Singh pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of aggravated assault and has since been deported.
Meanwhile, police issued arrest warrants for Sukhpreet Singh and Jaspreet Singh (no relation) for their involvement in the assault and attempted abduction.
At a press conference last week, York Regional Police Det. Sgt. Jason Dinsmore said investigators believe the two men are in Canada.
"We know they have ties to the province of British Columbia, as well as Ontario," stated Dinsmore. "We will be looking for them, and coming for them, and arresting them, and holding them accountable for their involvement."
Elnaz Hajtamiri suffered a head wound requiring roughly 40 stitches after an assault in a parking garage in Richmond Hill, Ont., on Dec. 20, 2021 (Photo Courtesy: Hajtamiri family member)
Police also suspect Hajtamiri's former boyfriend, Mohamad Lilo, of participating in the failed kidnapping attempt in York Region. He is charged with attempted murder and attempted kidnapping.
Lilo also faces charges concerning her disappearance on Jan. 12, 2022.
Detectives say Hajtamiri went into hiding with loved ones in Wasaga Beach after the frying pan assault and was forcibly dragged from the home by three suspects posing as police officers.
They have since arrested a Brampton woman, Krystal P. Lawrence, and issued an arrest warrant for Deshawn Davis, who is believed to be in the Greater Toronto Area. Police say a third man has yet to be identified.
Investigators say all three face a kidnapping charge.
Elnaz Hajtamiri's whereabouts remain a mystery, but investigators say they are "closer to finding answers."
A $100,000 joint OPP and York Regional Police reward is available for anyone with information about Hajtamiri's whereabouts.
Police urge anyone with information on the case to contact the dedicated tip line at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7250 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous.
The allegations against all of the accused have not been tested in court.
With files from CTV's Kim Phillips
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ukraine's fight for 'the future of us all,' Trudeau says on surprise trip to Kyiv
Canada will spend $500 million to help Ukraine's military fight Russia's invasion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday in Kyiv, where he told the country's parliament they are in a battle for 'the future of us all.'
Public inquiry into foreign interference 'has never been off the table': LeBlanc
Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc says a public inquiry into foreign interference 'has never been off the table,' following the sudden resignation of special rapporteur David Johnston.
Here's how some of Canada's wildfires compare in size to cities, lakes
Fires across the country are burning millions of hectares of land but what does that really look like? CTVNews.ca compared the blazes to some cities and lakes in the country showing just how big they have gotten.
Lawmakers shouldn't wait for unmarked graves report to act, Murray says
Ahead of the release of her interim report on progress as Canada's special interlocutor on unmarked graves at former residential schools, Kimberly Murray says lawmakers at all levels of government shouldn’t be waiting for her findings to act.
'See it with my own eyes': Canadian teen in war-torn Ukraine to film documentary
A Ukrainian-Canadian teenager is on an emotional journey to capture the destruction of the Russian invasion, including of his childhood home, on camera.
Unhealthy habits of university students could lead to future health problems
A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Preventative Medicine Reports by a group of international researchers has found that post-secondary students with unhealthy eating habits can go on to suffer from disease and mental health issues for years to come.
Three people charged in alleged abduction of N.L. teen after Amber Alert issued
Police in Newfoundland and Labrador say three people are facing charges following the alleged abduction of a 14-year-old girl.
David Johnston resigns as foreign interference special rapporteur, citing 'highly partisan atmosphere'
Foreign interference special rapporteur David Johnston has resigned, CTV News has confirmed. In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Johnston cited the intense politicization of his appointment and work, as the reason for his coming departure.
Donald Trump stored, showed off and refused to return classified documents, indictment says
Former U.S. president Donald Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents, according to an indictment unsealed Friday that alleges that he described a Pentagon 'plan of attack' and shared a classified map related to a military operation.
Atlantic
-
N.S. woman fined nearly $29,000 for outdoor fire as massive Shelburne wildfire burns
Police say a woman in central Nova Scotia has been fined nearly $29,000 for having an unsupervised outdoor fire in the midst of a provincewide fire ban.
-
IQF frozen Whole Raspberries and Antioxidant Blend recalled for norovirus risk
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for two kinds of Alasko brand IQF frozen fruit due to a possible norovirus contamination.
-
N.S. teachers, students, health care workers impacted by cyber attack
Nova Scotia says it has identified more details about the records stolen in a file transfer service cyber attack, impacting teachers, students and health care workers' records.
Montreal
-
Next 48 hours crucial in Quebec wildfire fight as rain expected Monday: public security minister
The next 48 hours will be crucial in Quebec's wildfire fight in northern and western parts of the province, with rain forecast for Monday but warmer, humid temperatures expected until then.
-
Once 'forgotten,' Oujé-Bougoumou Cree watch nervously as wildfire threatens community
Three of the province's nine Cree communities are threatened by wildfires, including Waswanipi and Mistissini. But only Oujé-Bougoumou, about 500 kilometres north of Montreal, has been evacuated completely.
-
Mohawk council divisions may complicate toxic dump cleanup in Kanesatake, Que.
There is a divide at the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake that seems bound to complicate the process of cleaning up a toxic dump that has the potential to hurt the wider environment north of Montreal.
Ottawa
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Four men injured in ByWard Market shooting
Ottawa police say four men were located on Clarence Street with gunshot wounds at approximately 1:30 a.m. Two of the men suffered life-threatening injuries.
-
Ukraine's fight for 'the future of us all,' Trudeau says on surprise trip to Kyiv
Canada will spend $500 million to help Ukraine's military fight Russia's invasion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday in Kyiv, where he told the country's parliament they are in a battle for 'the future of us all.'
-
Complaints about OC Transpo bus drivers flood city's fraud hotline
Auditor General Nathalie Gougeon says the fraud hotline has been receiving approximately five to 10 reports a day over the past year linked to bus operator "compliance nature", and it is overwhelming her office.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Russian plane grounded at Toronto Pearson for more than a year seized by Canadian government
A Russian-registered cargo aircraft that has been grounded at Toronto Pearson Airport for more than a year was seized by the Canadian government Saturday afternoon and could now be redistributed to Ukraine.
-
Search continues for 3 suspects in violent Toronto mosque attack caught on video
Toronto police have released images of a vehicle used by three suspects to flee the scene of a violent attack outside of a Scarborough mosque last month.
-
'Do not consume': Health Canada recalls brand of frozen berries sold in Ontario
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for two kinds of Alasko brand frozen fruit due to possible norovirus contamination.
Kitchener
-
Hwy. 401 westbound reopens outside Cambridge, Ont. following crash
Police have reopened a section of Highway 401 westbound between Woodstock and Cambridge after a crash involving a transport truck and an Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) vehicle resulted in a closure.
-
Exclusive experience: Members-only bar opens in Waterloo
A new bar in Uptown Waterloo is offering an exclusive experience based around a members-only model.
-
40 overdoses recorded in one week, says WRIDS
The Waterloo Region Integrated Drug Strategy (WRIDS) is sounding the alarm after a significant number of drug overdose and poisonings were reported over the last few days.
London
-
London tow truck operator receives licence suspension for excessive speeding
A local tow truck operator’s business licence has been suspended after one of their drivers was charged with stunt driving while on the job.
-
33 charges laid during commercial vehicle blitz
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) laid 33 charges during a commercial vehicle blitz in Norwich.
-
Drug trafficking trial puts senior couple behind bars
A London, Ont. courtroom heard Friday that from a so-called “hobby farm” near Newbury, drugs were being housed and trafficked.
Northern Ontario
-
Someone in Ontario has an email telling them they've won $22M in a Lotto Max jackpot
Someone in Ontario will wake up to an email informing them they're $22 million richer.
-
Northern Ont. wildfire update, one new fire reported Saturday
There is one new confirmed fire in the Northeast Region as of Saturday. Here’s what you need to know.
-
Victim shot and killed in Kirkland Lake, police search for homicide suspects
One person has been killed in Kirkland Lake following a shooting Thursday evening on Second Street East.
Windsor
-
A guilty verdict, a mother opens up, and a man charged with murder: Top 5 Windsor stories this week
Three men found guilty in the shooting death of a local woman, a mother opens up after her teenage daughter’s body was recovered by police, and a man was charged with the murder of his estranged wife. Here’s a look at the top stories on ctvnewswindsor.ca this week.
-
House fire near downtown causes $350,000 in damage, cause undetermined
Three people have been displaced after an overnight house fire destroyed their home.
-
Driver charged with stunt driving after speeding more than 65 km/h over limit
A driver had their licence suspended Friday after police clocked them going 68 km/h over the posted limit.
Calgary
-
Investigators on scene of early-morning fire in vacant Bowness building
Police and fire crews are investigating after a structure fire at a vacant building in Bowness early Saturday morning.
-
Suspect identified and charged in dangerous driving incident
A 20-year-old man has been charged in relation to a dangerous-driving incident in northeast Calgary that left a woman seriously injured.
-
Surge ride fourth-quarter heroics by Stef Smith to topple Ottawa
Stef Smith got hot in the fourth quarter, leading the Calgary Surge to an 86-79 win over the Ottawa BlackJacks in CEBL action Friday at WinSport.
Saskatoon
-
'This is a spending problem': Saskatoon business leader calls for 'mid-management' job cuts at city hall
The head of Saskatoon’s chamber of commerce responding with frustration to the city’s announcement of a $75 million deficit over the next two years — and the tax hikes that will likely be needed to help makeup some of the the shortfall.
-
Saskatoon residents raise concerns over pedestrian tunnel
A tunnel connecting Saskatoon's Fairhaven community to the Meadowgreen neighbourhood is raising concerns.
-
Unhealthy habits of university students could lead to future health problems
A recent study published in the peer-reviewed journal Preventative Medicine Reports by a group of international researchers has found that post-secondary students with unhealthy eating habits can go on to suffer from disease and mental health issues for years to come.
Edmonton
-
'Situation has escalated': Edson residents ordered to evacuate because of wildfire
For the second time in about a month, residents of Edson were told to leave town Friday night because of a wildfire.
-
Ukraine's fight for 'the future of us all,' Trudeau says on surprise trip to Kyiv
Canada will spend $500 million to help Ukraine's military fight Russia's invasion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday in Kyiv, where he told the country's parliament they are in a battle for 'the future of us all.'
-
Lawmakers shouldn't wait for unmarked graves report to act, Murray says
Ahead of the release of her interim report on progress as Canada's special interlocutor on unmarked graves at former residential schools, Kimberly Murray says lawmakers at all levels of government shouldn’t be waiting for her findings to act.
Vancouver
-
Beloved B.C.-based Asian grocery chain announces first U.S. location
Residents of Washington state will soon be able to experience a B.C. favourite without crossing the border.
-
How a Facebook comment about fish and chips led to an ethics complaint against an elected official in B.C.
The Moby Dick restaurant has been serving up its famous fish and chips on the White Rock promenade since it was founded by the Mueller family in 1975. But one local city councillor clearly isn’t a fan.
-
Driver plows through entrance of West Vancouver Whole Foods
Authorities in West Vancouver say it's lucky more people were not harmed when a driver crashed his car through the entrance of a Whole Foods Friday, coming to a stop in the busy produce section.