By Robert Frank
Two men were threatened and one injured in two separate but possibly related extortion attempts in Pierrefonds during the weekend, Montreal police Const. Jean-Pierre Brabant told The Suburban.
“We’re taking this case very seriously,” he affirmed. “A lot of investigators are trying to find two suspects, with the help of the victims.”
He explained that both victims were visited by the same two suspects, the first on Saturday night, Sept 8, when a 53-year-old Pierrefonds man was allegedly assaulted and sequestered. He added that the victim was later taken to hospital, where his injuries were treated before he was released.
“We do not fear for his life,” assured Const. Brabant.
He said that that the second extortion attempt occurred at 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9, when the same two suspects allegedly visited a second, 50-year-old man at his house in Pierrefonds.
“They tried to get money from him and told him that they would return later,” said Const. Brabant. “Before they left, the suspects took some electronic devices with them.”
“Both victims know each other,” he added.
Const. Brabant was unable to specify whether they knew the suspects as well. He also declined to provide a description of the alleged assailants.
He said that both victims are cooperating with investigators, who first assessed whether their accounts of what transpired were consistent. The investigators are now assessing whether the alleged crimes might be related to gangs or organized crime.