Elnaz Hajtamiri assault investigation results in 5th arrest
Police arrested a fifth person in connection with a violent attack on Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtamiri who investigators say was later abducted.
READ: Complete details on the Elnaz Hajtamiri investigation
York Regional Police say Akash Rana, 25, of Delta, B.C., was involved in the December 20, 2021, frying pan assault on Hajtamiri in her Richmond Hill underground parking garage.
Hajtamiri suffered a head wound requiring roughly 40 stitches. Police said a citizen interrupted the parking garage assault, and the suspects fled the scene.
Rana faces charges of aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. He remains in police custody with a court appearance in Newmarket scheduled for Thursday.
Four other men, including Hajtamiri's former boyfriend, face charges including attempted murder and attempted kidnapping in the Richmond Hill assault.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
Police are seeking the public's help to identify additional individuals who may have had "involvement in the planning or assisting" in the violent assault of Hajtamiri.
They urge anyone with information to contact the investigations bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext.7241, OPP at 1-888-310-1122, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Meanwhile, the investigation into Hajtamiri's alleged abduction is ongoing.
Investigators say she disappeared on January 12, 2022, after three men dragged her from a house in Wasaga Beach, where she had been hiding with family since the assault.
Her whereabouts remain a mystery.
The allegations against the accused have not been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy'
Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order.
BREAKING
BREAKING Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease
An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease.
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.
Canada issues travel warning after 6 people die from tainted alcohol in Laos
The Canadian government is warning travellers following the deaths of at least six people in the mass poisoning of foreign tourists in Laos after drinking tainted alcohol.
Canada's new income tax brackets in 2025: What you need to know
The Canada Revenue Agency has released updated federal income tax brackets for 2025, reflecting adjustments for inflation. Here’s the breakdown.
Unruly passenger duct-taped after trying to open a plane's door mid-flight
An assertive group of cross-country travellers pinned and duct-taped an unruly passenger mid-flight, after he allegedly tried to open a plane door at 30,000 feet.
Young man arrested after 'disturbing' sexual notes left for women, B.C. RCMP say
A young man has been arrested after multiple women reported receiving “disturbing” sexual notes – or in some cases underwear – in the same Burnaby, B.C., neighbourhood over recent months, the RCMP announced Thursday.
Enslaved on OnlyFans: Women recount torment and sexual servitude
OnlyFans says it empowers content creators, particularly women, to monetize sexually explicit images and videos in a safe online environment. But a Reuters investigation found women who said they had been deceived, drugged, terrorized and sexually enslaved to make money from the site.
Trump granted permission to seek dismissal of hush money case
A New York judge on Friday granted Donald Trump permission to seek dismissal of his hush money criminal case, in which he was found guilty earlier this year, in light of his victory in the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Kitchener
-
Man charged in Kitchener crash involving Grand River Transit LRT
Charges were laid after a crash between an LRT train and a Dodge vehicle shut down a busy Kitchener street for more than eight hours on Thursday.
-
FunGuyz says it's closing all 30 of its magic mushroom stores in Ontario
FunGuyz, which calls itself the biggest magic mushroom dispensary in Canada, says it's shutting down all 30 of its Ontario locations.
-
More than 35 arrests made so far in downtown Guelph enhanced enforcement initiative
The Guelph Police Service says more than 35 people have been arrested as part of an ongoing public safety initiative in downtown Guelph.
London
-
Transport truck crash causes Highway 401 lane closure
Significant delays are being reported in the area and tow trucks are on scene to help. No injuries have been reported.
-
One person dead after two-vehicle crash involving delivery truck
Emergency crews were called to the scene on Highway 10 around 9 a.m. for reports of a crash between a van and a delivery truck.
-
Budget Day 1: Council holds the line on 7.4% tax rate increase but funds shelter beds and more park maintenance
The first day of 2025 Budget deliberations at city hall saw a pair of high-priced programs supported by council – but only after finding ways to keep the cost off property tax bills.
Windsor
-
Ont. law firm seeks information on convicted Catholic priest amid active abuse lawsuit
An Ontario law firm is seeking information about the movements and activities of a Catholic priest who was convicted of sexually abusing a 12-year-old boy before he died.
-
Police look to identify theft suspects
The Windsor Police Service is looking to identify two suspects involved in a theft.
-
Willistead Manor annual holiday tours return
Windsor residents and visitors can get into the holiday spirit at Willistead Manor.
Northern Ontario
-
Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont.
An 81-year-old was killed in a dog attack this week in Bonfield, Ont. Police believe three dogs were involved.
-
Woman stabbed multiple times in Sudbury altercation
A 30-year-old woman is in hospital in Sudbury after she was stabbed multiple times early Friday morning in Chelmsford.
-
Province cancels deal with Canadore College for North Bay addiction treatment centre
After years of delays, the province has pulled the plug on an addiction treatment centre in North Bay. A news release from Canadore College on Thursday confirmed the centre won’t be moving forward.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
After a year of struggle, centre that helps Sault youth to move to a building with heat
Sault-based charity Save Our Young Adults, or SOYA, will soon move to a new home -- for good reason.
-
$3M donation to help repair arena in Elliot Lake
The City of Elliot Lake said Thursday it has received a $3-million donation from Edward and Suzanne Rogers for the Centennial Arena restoration.
-
Sault College accounting students get a head start on their careers
Students in Sault College’s business accounting program have a new learning pathway that will ultimately give them a head start to a career.
Ottawa
-
Orleans man calls for changes after service guide dog attacked by another dog
An Orléans man who uses a service guide dog wants to see changes to rules surrounding dog attacks, after his guide dog was attacked by another dog last month.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy'
Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order.
-
Ottawa Food Bank declares an emergency amid record-breaking usage
The Ottawa Food Bank is calling the record-breaking visits to its food programs "a declaration of emergency," with children and youth and newcomers accounting for more than a quarter of visits last year.
Toronto
-
Trudeau announces funding to feed 160,000 Ontario students
An additional 160,000 students in Ontario will get access to free meals, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at a Brampton, Ont. school Friday.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy'
Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order.
-
'Not good for the economy': MPs call on federal government to regulate resale concert tickets
Ticket fraud and sky-high prices for Taylor Swift concerts have some politicians calling for changes to the way tickets are sold in Canada.
Montreal
-
BREAKINGBREAKING Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease
An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease.
-
Thieves steal $10K worth of meat destined for Montreal-area food baskets
Staff at a non-profit organization on Montreal’s South Shore that helps feed those in need during the holidays was left upset and shaking their heads after hundreds of pounds of meat was stolen.
-
Northvolt CEO Peter Carlsson steps down one day after bankruptcy filing in U.S.
The CEO and co-founder of battery maker Northvolt, Peter Carlsson, is stepping down after being at the helm of the company since it was founded in 2016.
Atlantic
-
Youth who pleaded guilty in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald to be sentenced
A teen who pleaded guilty in the death of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year will be sentenced Friday.
-
Cape Breton councillor wins election after her name is picked from a box
Wanda Hennick is the lucky winner of a council seat in northern Cape Breton after her name was picked out of a box Friday morning.
-
Emergency alert issued for missing vulnerable man last seen in Sydney
An emergency alert has been issued in Nova Scotia as Cape Breton Regional Police search for a missing vulnerable man.
Winnipeg
-
Human remains found in Manitoba community
Human remains have been discovered near a home in the RM of Rockwood, Man.
-
Sio Silica plans to try again with controversial project in Manitoba
Sio Silica is planning to try again with a controversial mining project in the same spot using the same method that the province rejected less than a year ago, but this time with more community engagement.
-
Winnipeg shelters preparing for cold weather response
Shelters in Winnipeg providing meals and places to stay for those experiencing homelessness are getting ready for winter.
Calgary
-
Calgary under a snowfall warning, drivers warned to be prepared
Calgary is under a snowfall warning with total amounts of 15 to 25 centimetres expected.
-
Calgary police investigate suspicious death in Pine Creek
Calgary police are investigating after a body was found in the southwest community of Pine Creek.
-
Danielle Smith, transportation minister in Calgary for passenger rail forum
Premier Danielle Smith and her minister of transportation are in Calgary on Friday to participate in a forum examining the feasibility of passenger rail service in Alberta.
Edmonton
-
Woman accused in drowning of girl at Alberta lake had been under house arrest
A bail hearing has heard that a woman accused in the drowning death of a five-year-old girl in an Alberta lake didn't know the child and was supposed to be under house arrest.
-
Fleury helps Wild beat Oilers in his 1,000th career start
It certainly wasn’t the start Marc-Andre Fleury was expecting in what was otherwise a milestone night for the veteran Minnesota Wild goaltender.
-
WEATHER
WEATHER Josh Classen's forecast: Snowfall warning for tonight and Saturday
A few sunny breaks in the Edmonton area this morning, but we'll be under a thick blanket of fresh snow just 24 hours from now.
Regina
-
Accused of sexual assault, Regina chiropractor takes the stand as first defense witness
A Regina chiropractor accused of sexually assaulting seven different women took the stand Thursday as arguments began in his defense.
-
Contractor fatally injured while on the job at Regina's Evraz plant
Evraz North America says an investigation is underway after a contractor was fatally injured while on the job in Regina on Nov. 19.
-
Sask. principal has sexual assault conviction overturned in light of 'butt-grabbing game'
A Saskatchewan principal sentenced to six months behind bars for sexual assault has another chance to prove he’s the victim of a middle-school prank that escalated out of control.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. principal has sexual assault conviction overturned in light of 'butt-grabbing game'
A Saskatchewan principal sentenced to six months behind bars for sexual assault has another chance to prove he’s the victim of a middle-school prank that escalated out of control.
-
'What about our spirituality?': Sask. man wants new Lighthouse operator to respect Indigenous culture
A Saskatoon man is concerned about an Alberta non-profit coming into the city to open a new shelter and run the Lighthouse.
-
First woman sworn in as mayor of Saskatoon
After being sworn in Wednesday night alongside a mix of new and returning city councillors, Cynthia Block becomes the first female mayor of Saskatoon.
Vancouver
-
More wind on the way to B.C.'s South Coast as thousands still without power
Another windstorm is headed to B.C.’s South Coast Friday, though Environment Canada says it will be weaker than the bomb cyclone event earlier this week.
-
Young man arrested after 'disturbing' sexual notes left for women, B.C. RCMP say
A young man has been arrested after multiple women reported receiving “disturbing” sexual notes – or in some cases underwear – in the same Burnaby, B.C., neighbourhood over recent months, the RCMP announced Thursday.
-
'Emotional time' for B.C. poultry farmers who have to cull thousands of birds
Mark Siemens is a third-generation egg farmer in B.C.'s Fraser Valley and he recalls his grandfather sharing a story about fighting an unknown disease that raced through the farm decades ago, forcing him to cull the entire flock.
Vancouver Island
-
More wind on the way to B.C.'s South Coast as thousands still without power
Another windstorm is headed to B.C.’s South Coast Friday, though Environment Canada says it will be weaker than the bomb cyclone event earlier this week.
-
Major crime investigators reviewing death of Victoria teen, which coroner reclassified as homicide
Vancouver Island’s major crime unit is investigating the case of a Victoria teenager whose death was initially ruled an accidental overdose, but has since been reclassified by coroners as a homicide.
-
'Emotional time' for B.C. poultry farmers who have to cull thousands of birds
Mark Siemens is a third-generation egg farmer in B.C.'s Fraser Valley and he recalls his grandfather sharing a story about fighting an unknown disease that raced through the farm decades ago, forcing him to cull the entire flock.
