Three men charged after man kidnapped at Vaughan restaurant in case of mistaken identity
A York Regional Police patch is shown Dec, 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
Three men are facing charges in connection with the armed kidnapping of a man at a Vaughan restaurant last month in what police believe is a case of mistaken identity.
York Regional Police said officers responded to an establishment on McCleary Court in the early morning hours of Aug. 27 for a report of an abduction.
When officers arrived, they learned that three suspects armed with guns forcibly took a 37-year-old man into a vehicle and drove away. During the kidnapping, one of the suspects fired a shot in the air, police said.
Shortly after, the suspects allegedly sent a ransom demand to a person known to the victim. However, a few hours later, the suspects released the man, police said.
He then returned to the scene, where he spoke to officers.
“It is believed the suspects abducted the wrong person and released him upon realizing it,” police said in a news release on Thursday.
The victim suffered minor injuries during the ordeal.
After identifying the suspects, police executed search warrants at their residences in Toronto earlier this week. However, the suspects were not at home, and officers learned that they were away in Cancun, Mexico and were returning soon.
As a result, police obtained arrest warrants and notified the Canada Border Services Agency about the investigation.
On Wednesday, the suspects were taken into custody at Toronto Pearson Airport.
Police identified them as 25-year-old Muktar Mohamed, 26-year-old Musse Musse and 22-year-old Omar Ayah.
They have been charged with kidnapping with a firearm, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, possession of a loaded/prohibited firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm and use of a firearm in the commission of an indictable offence.
Musse and Mohamed are facing additional charges of reckless discharge of a firearm and possession for the purpose of trafficking, respectively.
Police continue to ask anyone with information about the investigation to contact them at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7441 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.1800222tips.com.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING
BREAKING Time magazine names Taylor Swift 'Person of the Year' for 2023
Taylor Swift has dominated music charts, broken records and is performing in what is likely to be the highest-grossing tour ever -- and she's now named Time's 'Person of the Year.'
Pass federal gun bill without delay, shooting victim's father urges on anniversary of mass killing
The father of a woman who was fatally shot in October by her former partner is urging senators to pass a federal gun-control bill without delay.
Senators were intimidated, had their privilege breached, Speaker rules
Any attempt to intimidate a senator while in the process of fulfilling their duties is a breach of their privilege, even if the effort is ultimately unsuccessful, the Speaker of the Senate ruled Tuesday.
Here is Canada's unseasonably mild December forecast
December is predicted to be unseasonably mild across Canada, thanks to a "moderate-to-strong" El Nino and human-caused warming. Warming and precipitation trends will be stronger in some parts of the country than others, and severe weather is still possible, meteorologists say.
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Bank of Canada to announce interest rate decision today
The Bank of Canada is set to announce its interest rate decision this morning as forecasters widely expect the central bank to continue holding its key rate steady.
Two Canadian citizens confirmed dead in Antigua: Global Affairs
Global Affairs Canada has confirmed the death of two Canadian citizens in Antigua and Barbuda, news that comes amid reports from local officials that a woman and child drowned last week at Devil’s Bridge.
Eight million Canadians have at least one disability: StatCan
The number of Canadians with at least one disability has doubled in 10 years, a reality that should push governments to help reduce barriers to accessibility, says the head of a human rights organization.
A court filing gives a rare look inside the FBI seizure of a lawmaker's phone in 2020 election probe
Just how hard did some Republican members of Congress work to keep President Donald Trump in office after his 2020 election loss? A court case is providing a few tantalizing clues.
Under Putin, the uber-wealthy Russians known as 'oligarchs' are still rich but far less powerful
When Vladimir Putin came to power in 2000, the outside world viewed those Russians known as o'ligarchs' as men who whose vast wealth, ruthlessly amassed, made them almost shadow rulers. A 'government of the few,' in the word's etymology. How much political power any of Russia's uber-rich now wield, however, is doubtful.
Montreal
-
Toddler dies after being found with serious injuries at daycare
A young child has died in hospital after being found with significant injuries in a family daycare in L'Assomption.
-
Polytechnique plans tributes for 14 women killed in 1989
As it does every year, Polytechnique Montréal will be paying tribute on Dec. 6 to the 14 young women who were murdered 34 years ago in 1989.
-
Quebecers say they would vote for PQ in yet another poll
For the second time in a fortnight, a poll measuring voting intentions shows the PQ gaining the lead over the ruling CAQ.
London
-
St. Thomas, Ont. attracts another major development, will sit next to Volkswagen plant
It's a 67-acre property at the southeast corner of Highbury Avenue South and Ron McNeil Line, and it's now open for business after being snapped up by Brantford-based Vicano Construction.
-
VIDEO
VIDEO Record-setting teddy bear toss night at Budweiser Gardens
Jared Woolley's first OHL goal had fans out of their seats at Budweiser Gardens to toss their teddy bears.
-
'Will it ever end?' Hyde Park’s growth forces more detours
Growing pains are again impacting residents and businesses in Hyde Park. Throughout development, construction has promoted delays, and this week, another closure of Hyde Park Road at South Carriage Road has locals up in arms.
Kitchener
-
Kitchener man jumps into action to intervene in an alleged sexual assault
A Kitchener man is still grappling with what he witnessed on Monday morning when an alleged sexual assault happened right outside his home.
-
Kitchener Rangers make it rain at Teddy Bear Toss game
Tuesday night was one of the most anticipated hockey games of the Kitchener Rangers season – the annual Teddy Bear Toss at the Aud.
-
Waterloo Region embraces festive spirit with Christkindl Market and Hanukkah preparations
Waterloo Region readies for the holidays with its Christkindl Market and Hanukkah celebrations.
Northern Ontario
-
Ontario woman says she's shocked and angry after losing $80,000 in roofing scam
An Ontario woman said she was shocked and angry after handing over $80,000 to a roofing company that claimed she had problems with her roof that didn't exist.
-
Driver charged after video captures near-miss of head-on collision
A video posted online shows a quick-thinking 24-year-old driver narrowly missing a head-on collision on a northern Ontario highway.
-
Fatal crash on Highway 17 involving horse and buggy, commercial vehicle
The 29-year-old driver of a horse and buggy was killed in a crash with a commercial vehicle on Highway 17 near Iron Bridge on Monday evening, police say.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa records 56 consecutive hours of snowfall, 2nd longest on record
It hasn't stopped snowing in Ottawa for over two days.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING Ottawa city council to finalize $5.8B budget for 2024
Ottawa city councillors and the mayor will vote on the $5.8-billion spending plan for the city next year, which includes a 2.5 per cent increase to property taxes, a 2.5 per cent fare hike, and a 2.5 per cent increase to the Ottawa Police Service budget.
-
Carlington residents express concerns over neighbourhood supportive housing project
At a heated meeting Tuesday evening, residents of Ottawa’s Carlington neighbourhood voiced their concerns over a new supportive housing project proposed by the Shepherds of Good Hope.
Windsor
-
Council scraps 'Global Village' plans at former Grace Hospital site
It's back to the drawing board for the former Grace Hospital site as excitement around the planned “global village” has been brought to a screeching halt.
-
Nearly 70 victim impact statements expected at Nathaniel Veltman sentencing
As the Crown and the defence discussed legal matters ahead of the sentencing hearing of Nathaniel Veltman, the court heard that 68 victim impact statements are expected to be submitted.
-
Warm up in Windsor-Essex on the way over the next few days
The normal high for this time of year is around 3 C, which will be the high for Wednesday, before reaching 6 C on Thursday and possibly double digits on Friday.
Barrie
-
Here is Canada's unseasonably mild December forecast
December is predicted to be unseasonably mild across Canada, thanks to a "moderate-to-strong" El Nino and human-caused warming. Warming and precipitation trends will be stronger in some parts of the country than others, and severe weather is still possible, meteorologists say.
-
Barrie man wins on LOTTO/649 free play ticket
Healthcare worker Kevin Knapp of Barrie, says he has been playing the lottery since he turned 18.
-
York Regional Police get top marks for employers: 2024 report
The Top 100 Employers for 2024 project recognizes employers with exceptional human resources programs and forward-thinking workplace policies.
Atlantic
-
RCMP charge second person in the death of a woman in Cape Breton
A 28-year-old man has been charged in connection with the homicide of a woman in Cape Breton.
-
Thousands of chickens dead after break and enter at poultry facility: N.S. RCMP
The Nova Scotia RCMP says it is investigating a recent break and enter and mischief incident at a poultry wholesalers facility in Steam Mill, N.S.
-
St. Stephen declares local state of emergency over homelessness
The Municipal District of St. Stephen in New Brunswick has declared a local state of emergency over homeless.
Calgary
-
Calgary International Airport preparing for holiday influx
With the holiday season here, the Calgary International Airport is gearing up for its busiest time of year.
-
Calgary firefighters battle Maple Ridge house fire
A southeast Calgary home was destroyed and two neighbouring homes were damaged in a Tuesday afternoon blaze, but no one was hurt.
-
Minnesota Wild keep winning after coaching change, douse Flames 5-2
The Minnesota Wild extended their win streak since a coaching change to four straight with a 5-2 victory Tuesday over the host Calgary Flames.
Winnipeg
-
'Fiscal mess': Manitoba’s deficit grows to $1.6 billion
Manitoba’s forecasted deficit has reached more than $1.6 billion.
-
99-years-old and still making pizza: Winnipeg woman sets sights on a century
Many people look forward to retirement and leaving the rat race behind, but not Antoinetta Lomonaco. She retired from her full-time job and then started the next chapter of her life working at her family's restaurant. Now about to turn 100 years old, she's still going strong.
-
Mild weather extending construction season in Winnipeg
Winnipeg road work may be largely done for the season, but many workers aren't putting the hammer away yet.
Vancouver
-
Family says Fraser Health failed missing Maple Ridge woman
A Maple Ridge family is desperately searching for a woman who vanished 13 days ago after security escorted her out of the Ridge Meadows Hospital.
-
Vancouver mayor to propose significant changes involving park board Wednesday: sources
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is expected to propose some fundamental changes to the city's park board at a news conference scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday.
-
Scholarship launched for volleyball player killed in B.C. car crash, two critically injured athletes identified online
A scholarship has been set up in memory of the varsity volleyball player killed in a multi-vehicle crash in Kamloops, B.C., last week.
Edmonton
-
Man arrested following shooting outside Kingsway Mall
A man is in custody following a shooting outside Kingsway Mall, the Edmonton Police Service said Tuesday night.
-
Nurses concerned about cuts, Alberta health minister hints at hirings after letters to union
Alberta's health minister said Tuesday she's "really confident" the province will be able to hire more front-line staff to augment the current health-care workforce.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Bank of Canada to announce interest rate decision today
The Bank of Canada is set to announce its interest rate decision this morning as forecasters widely expect the central bank to continue holding its key rate steady.
