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Oct 14, 2026 6:10 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur with files from The Canadian Press
Toronto police have charged seven people, including three members of the Canadian Armed Forces, in connection with the kidnapping of a cryptocurrency exchange owner. A total of 82 charges have been laid against the accused, including kidnapping, extortion, firearms offences and drug trafficking, Police Chief Myron Demkiw said at a news conference on Wednesday.
According to Demkiw, the incident began on July 25, 2026, when the victim was abducted at gunpoint near Finch Avenue East and Bayview Avenue in North York. The kidnappers allegedly handcuffed and severely tortured the victim to gain access to his cryptocurrency holdings and business security systems. He was later released after being threatened not to contact police.
The three military members, aged between 22 and 29, were affiliated with a Toronto-based military reserve unit. They have since been removed from duty.
