Foreign national charged in connection to Surrey extortion shooting, police say

Police shared this photo of Jaskaran Saroye, the man charged in connection to an extortion-related shooting that happened in Surrey on April 13. (SPS)

A 27-year-old man has been charged in connection to an extortion-related shooting that took place in Surrey last month, local police say.

Jaskaran Saroye was arrested by the Surrey Police Service’s Extortion Response Team and has been charged with discharging a firearm into a place, knowing or being reckless as to whether someone was present, the SPS said in a statement Thursday.

The charge stems from a shooting that occurred shortly before 3 a.m. in the area of 94A Avenue and 127 Street on April 13, police said.

The residence was occupied at the time, but no one was injured.

The Extortion Response Team took over the investigation, identified a suspect vehicle and executed a search warrant on a Surrey home with the help of the heavily armed Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team, the SPS said. It did not specify where in Surrey the warrant was executed, nor when.

Saroye was arrested during the search and has been remanded in custody while awaiting a bail hearing. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 12, police said.

“This arrest and charge reflect the determined work of our officers to hold those responsible for gun violence accountable,” said Chief Const. Norm Lipinski, in the statement.

“Discharging a firearm into an occupied home is an extremely serious offence, and while we are thankful no one was physically harmed, incidents like this are profoundly dangerous and frightening for those affected. Our investigators will continue to pursue all individuals and networks involved in violent criminal activity.”

Surrey has been at the centre of the wave of extortion crimes, which have primarily targeted the South Asian community. As of late last month, Surrey police statistics showed 91 reported cases this year, with 16 involving gunfire, compared to 133 reported cases last year, with shots fired in 49 cases.

Police have previously described the extortion attempts as the efforts of multiple criminal groups, involving both Canadian citizens and foreign nationals.

Hundreds of suspected extortionists have been reported to the Canada Border Services Agency and dozens have been deemed inadmissible and removed from Canada.

Asked about Saroye’s immigration status, SPS spokesperson Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton told CTV News by email that the accused “is a foreign national and has no status in Canada.”

“SPS notified/contacted CBSA when we became aware of him,” Houghton said, referring further questions to the border agency.

The SPS shared a photo of Saroye “after determining that disclosure is necessary to assist with ongoing police investigations,” according to the statement.

“SPS hopes that the public release of the image prompts additional witnesses, victims, or associates to come forward with relevant information regarding the activities of Jaskaran Saroye,” the statement reads. “Any information provided by the public or associates can assist police in gathering information on the people and potential criminal networks involved in violent extortions.”

Information can be shared by calling the SPS non-emergency number (604-599-0502), the Surrey Extortion Tip Line (236-485-5149) or Crime Stoppers (800-222-8477). Those who wish to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers.

Anyone who provides key information that leads to charges and convictions of those responsible for extortion in Surrey may be eligible for a payment from the $250,000 Surrey Extortion Reward Fund, the SPS said.

With files from The Canadian Press