Bullet holes marked two locations of a B.C. Indian restaurant chain Monday, Oct. 6, even as police announced a number of arrests connected to the South Asian extortion crisis plaguing the Lower Mainland.
Police were on scene at an Ustaad G76 location in Newton, on the heels of the chain's South Surrey restaurant also being damaged in an overnight shooting. Bullet holes were visible in the windows of the Newton location, in the 13000-block of 76 Avenue, according to video and photos captured on scene by a Black Press freelancer.
The shots follow an overnight shots-fired incident that happened around 2:20 a.m. Monday at the location near 156 Street and King George Boulevard. Officers responded to calls of possible shots fired outside a business and confirmed that damage to the exterior of the building had been caused by gunshots, according to an SPS news release.
The business was closed at the time, no staff were inside, and there were no reports of any injuries.
On Saturday, Sept. 27, an early-morning shooting also targeted Ustaad G76 Indian Cuisine in Maple Ridge, located at 21768 Lougheed Hwy. No one was injured.
SPS senior media relations officer Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton said it's too early in the investigation to say if the South Surrey incident is linked to other extortion-related shootings in the city, or whether the extortion task force will take over the file.
The investigation comes as officials announced the arrests of seven people in three separate extortion-related cases.
Three charged after Surrey home hit by gunfire in March
Three people have been arrested and charged in relation to a March shooting that is believed to be related to an extortion investigation, the Surrey Police Service announced on Oct. 6.
On March 27, at approximately 1:55 a.m., a residence in the 13300-block of 89A Avenue was damaged by several gunshots; nobody was injured, a Surrey Police Service release said.
The victim contacted SPS later the same day and police determined the incident was related to an ongoing extortion investigation. Three suspects were identified, leading to the execution of numerous search warrants.
The following men arrested on Friday (Oct. 3) and each charged with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm: Mandeep Gidda, 23, Nirmaandeep Cheema, 20, and Arundeep Singh, 26.
Gidda and Cheema were remanded and scheduled to appear in court on Monday (Oct. 6). Singh was also remanded; he is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday (Oct. 8).
“These three arrests and charges are a positive step forward as Surrey Police Service continues to aggressively tackle the issue of extortions in collaboration with Provincial Extortions Task Force and other policing partners across the country,” said SPS Chief Const. Norm Lipinski in the release.
“Enforcement and all investigative tactics will continue to ramp up as we work together to bring these criminals to justice.”
One in custody, one at large after charges filed in Surrey extortion-linked arson
Also on Oct. 6, the BC RCMP announced that the Lower Mainland District Joint Force Operation (JFO) has secured charges against two suspects for their alleged involvement in extortion-related offences dating back to 2024.
The JFO assumed conduct of an August 2024 investigation into a shooting and arson at the home of a person who had received extortion threats in Surrey. As a result of an extensive investigation, BC Prosecution Service has laid charges against 26-year-old, Abjeet Kingra and 24-year-old, Vikram Sharma. Both men have been charged with discharge of a firearm with intent and arson.
Kingra is in custody on another matter, police said.
The second accused, Vikram Sharma has an active arrest warrant for discharge of a firearm with intent and arson in relation to a West Shore RCMP investigation. An additional warrant has been issued for his arrest in relation to the new charges.
Sharma is described as a South Asian man, about 5-9 and 181 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about Vikram Sharma’s whereabouts is asked to contact police or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 if you wish to remain anonymous.
"We recognize that charges in one investigation does not erase the community’s fear and concern regarding ongoing extortions,” said Chief Supt. Duncan Pound, Lower Mainland assistant district commander.
“These charges show our commitment to the community, and with a dedicated task force and additional resources, we are in a stronger position to pursue multiple suspect groups, and advance investigations toward further charges.”
Two men charged in Surrey vehicle fire as extortion task force investigates
Two men have been charged with arson and possession of stolen property after a vehicle was set on fire in Surrey on Sunday, Oct. 5 in a case that's being investigated by the joint extortion task force.
Harmanjot Brar, 25, and Hardilpreet Singh, 23, have each been charged with arson and possession of stolen property in relation to alleged incidents that occurred on Oct. 5.
On Oct. 5, at about 5 a.m., the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operational Support Unit (SPOSU) responded to the report of an arson to a vehicle in the 15000-block of 81B Avenue, an RCMP press release notes. The suspects fled the area in a vehicle.
A police press release credits "timely coordination and information sharing between frontline officers" from SPOSU, Surrey Police Service and the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) that's examining extortion-related crimes in B.C. for identifying a residence associated with the suspects.
Along with frontline officers, the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team and Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service went to the home and took multiple other people associated to the residence into custody. The people were identified and have since been released pending further investigation.
The JFO now has command of the investigation and is working with partner agencies, including the Canada Border Services Agency.
Individuals and businesses primarily in the South Asian community are being victimized by threats of extortion in Surrey and across the country, SPS noted. In response, SPS stood up its own Extortion Investigations Team and launched a reward and tip line in collaboration with the City of Surrey. SPS is also part of the Provincial Extortions Task Force.
