Peel police spent all day at the scene of a Brampton townhouse where a 38-year-old man was found dead, but they are also hunting for the three men believed to have deliberately targeted him.

"This was not a random act. I'm not prepared to comment in any detail, however, drugs do a play a part in this investigation," Insp. Norm English of the Peel Police homicide squad told a Thursday news conference.

"This was a home invasion robbery that went very, very wrong."

Investigators have put other police forces across the Greater Toronto Area on alert for three suspects and a stolen 2005 black four-door Nissan Altima that is believed to have been taken from the crime scene, near Dixie Road and Bovaird Drive. The plate number is AWJB 247.

The three black males who are wanted by police are considered to be armed and dangerous. Police are asking the public not to approach the suspects.

In a news release issued late Thursday afternoon, Peel police issued the following descriptions:

  • Suspect 1: A black male, tall and thin, and in his 20's. He was last seen wearing a scarf bandana and a hood with a long grey winter coat. This suspect was carrying what appeared to be a rifle
  • Suspect 2: A black male, 16-17 years old, with short hair and a round face. His height would be described as short and he was last seen wearing a grey hood. This suspect was seen to be carrying a knife

The third suspect is only described as a black male.

Authorities confirmed a 38-year-old man, George Kalogerakis, was found inside a townhouse on Earth Star Trail at around 1 a.m. Thursday. He was reportedly found tied up and restrained, suffering from a stab wound to his neck.

He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

A woman who lives in the unit found the victim and called police. She told authorities that her unexpected arrival startled the three suspects who were inside the home, prompting them to flee the scene.

One suspect was armed with a knife, and the other with a firearm.

The two-storey townhome where the victim was found had been divided into several units and rented out to different tenants. It is not clear what his relationship is to the woman who found him.

Some neighbours said Kalogerakis, Peel region's 18th homicide victim of 2009, was a nice, polite man who kept to himself.

Neighbour Jean Lavoie said he went out to finish up his recycling sometime after 12:30 a.m. "and heard some voices down the street, and looked and saw what I would call a group of younger adults."

He bought an extra deadbolt for his home on Thursday.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Michelle Dube