2 arrested, 1 outstanding after victims' social assistance funds stolen: police
![Wadia Khaled, Fadel Yazbak From left, Wadia Khaled, 18, of Toronto, and Fadel Yazbak, 18, of Mississauga. Both have arrested and charged in connection with a robbery investigation.](/content/dam/cp24/en/images/2024/7/14/wadia-khaled--fadel-yazbak-1-6963865-1721008495923.jpeg)
Two people have been arrested and one is outstanding after victims' social assistance funds were allegedly stolen in downtown Toronto late last month, say police.
Toronto Police Service (TPS) said on June 28 at about 12:20 p.m. they were called to the area of Wellesley and Jarvis streets for reports of a robbery.
According to police, a male had just received his Ontario Disability Support Program benefits on a pre-paid Visa card and had tried to access his funds at a gas station store.
Investigators allege that he was approached by a suspect who said that he had a weapon and took the prepaid Visa card from him. Police said that a weapon was not seen.
The victim demanded his card back and was unknowingly provided a different card that had no funds, they said.
Police aid as he attempted to withdraw funds, the suspect watched the victim enter their PIN code. The victim left the store when he couldn’t obtain his money.
The suspect then used the victim’s PIN to withdraw money from his card.
“Further investigation revealed that several individuals were targeting ODSP clients,” TPS said.
On July 12, 51 Division’s Major Crime Unit executed two Criminal Code search warrants “items of evidentiary value.” They also arrested two men at that time.
Wadia Khaled, 18, of Toronto, and Fadel Yazbak, of Mississauga, both 18, were arrested and charged with robbery with an offensive weapon, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, and disguise with intent. They were scheduled to appear at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on July 13.
One suspect remains outstanding in this investigation, 21-year-old Munir Al Mhmmed, of Toronto. He is wanted for robbery with an offensive weapon and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence
Investigators believe there may be more victims and are urging anyone who experienced a similar interaction with the suspects to contact Det. Const. Patrick Homer at 11298@tps.ca, Det. Const. Sean Clendinning at 11308@tps.ca, 416-808-5100, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7023455.1725377678!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Canada issues new travel advice amid spread of bug-transmitted disease
Canada is advising travellers to be aware of reported viral Oropouche outbreaks in the Americas, where overall cases are higher than expected and some countries have recorded their first-ever infections.
How the John Tavares tax case could affect professional athletes in Canada and the U.S.
John Tavares has taken more than 20,000 faceoffs during his 15-year NHL career, but it's one with the Canada Revenue Agency that may be the most consequential. The Toronto Maple Leafs forward is taking the CRA to court over a dispute as to how a signing bonus from 2018 should be taxed. The ruling could have a chilling effect on how Canadian NHL franchises negotiate with unrestricted free agents.
Costco's first membership price hike in 7 years just went into effect
Costco customers are now paying more for their annual memberships for the first time since 2017.
Man, 50 others go on trial in France for rape of drugged wife
A 71-year-old man is on trial in France accused of drugging his wife and inviting dozens of strangers to rape her in their home over nearly a decade in a case that has shocked the country.
These grocery items have become cheaper, according to a new analysis
Families facing the financial challenge of making school lunches will find some relief this fall. Here are the latest grocery price trends, according to a new analysis.
Just returned from the Olympics, a Ugandan athlete is set on fire by her boyfriend
A Ugandan athlete living in Kenya was set ablaze by her boyfriend and is currently receiving treatment for 75 per cent burns, police said.
'Like being in prison': Via Rail passenger says people stranded without food, water
A tourist visiting Canada is questioning the safety of Via Rail after he says his phone was snatched from him by an employee when he was documenting a train delay that left passengers stranded as they ran out of food, water and working toilets.
The US$10-million cocktail everyone is drinking at the U.S. Open
At the U.S. Open currently underway in New York, a single cocktail will surpass US$10 million in sales before the tennis grand slam event ends Sept. 8.
Draisaitl signs 8-year contract extension with Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl is 'locked in,' the Edmonton Oilers announced Tuesday morning, revealing the first details of a contract extension with the German centre.