Blackmail during rehearsal: Demand for payment made threats.
Montreal Police Investigate Series of Arson Attacks on A5 Hospitality Group Establishments
Montreal, QC – The home of an administrator of the A5 Hospitality restaurant group on Île-des-Sœurs was targeted by gunshots in the early hours of Thursday morning, in an incident believed to be part of an ongoing extortion attempt that has been escalating for close to two years.
Authorities suspect this incident, which occurred on Rue de la Sagittaire around 3:35 AM, is connected to a wave of extortion that has affected Montreal's business community for the past two summers. The latest escalation, including the shooting at the administrator's residence, marks a further escalation in the -until now- seemingly inescapable cycle of extortion in the city.
According to reports from Daniel Renaud, Investigative Team, our site, the Montreal Police Service (SPVM) has been investigating threats against A5 Hospitality since they first surfaced nearly two years ago. These threats culminated in armed violence at the Île-des-Sœurs residence, and an earlier attempt on The Fitzroy bar in early May.
Extortionists have been demanding thousands of dollars per month from business owners and proprietors, often under the guise of ensuring the "security" of their establishments.
Peter Sergakis, a well-respected figure in Montreal's restaurant industry, has expressed deep concern over the ongoing issue and urged authorities to take immediate action. "These demands for money through acts of violence are unacceptable," he stated. "All police forces need to collaborate to halt this insecurity among restaurateurs and their families."
Although cells phones in prisons are believed to be fueling the fire in criminal activities, there is currently no evidence connecting these incidents to the ongoing extortion case.
Sergakis, who fears for the safety of fellow restaurateurs under A5 Hospitality, emphasized the importance of not giving in to threats and contacting authorities immediately. "Restaurateurs must never pay a cent...We're dealing with hardened, organized criminals!" he warned.
Montreal police's arson squad is currently investigating the recent arson attacks on Flyjin in Old Montreal and Madame Bovary in Boucherville, which occurred on May 30. At this time, there have been no arrests, and authorities are working to establish the cause and any potential links to other criminal activities. However, the investigation does not currently indicate a direct connection to cell phones in prisons.
Sources:[1] Website_News_Site. (2023, June 1). Montreal police investigating shooting at administrator's home of A5 Hospitality restaurant group. Retrieved from https://website_news_site.com/montreal-police-investigating-shooting-administors-home-of-a5-hospitality-restaurant-group/
[2] Website_News_Site. (2023, June 2). Montreal police's arson squad investigating A5 Hospitality group establishments. Retrieved from https://website_news_site.com/montreal-police-arson-squad-investigating-a5-hospitality-group-establishments/
[3] Website_News_Site. (2022, August 1). Extortion attempts continue to plague Montreal's business community. Retrieved from https://website_news_site.com/extortion-attempts-continue-to-plague-montreals-business-community/
- The ongoing extortion attempts against Montreal's business community, most recently targeting A5 Hospitality Group, are not just a local issue but are part of a larger narrative of crime and justice in general-news and politics.
- The escalating series of arson attacks on A5 Hospitality Group establishments, accompanied by the recent shooting at an administrator's residence, raises questions about the safety and security of Montreal's business community, as well as the broader issue of justice and law enforcement.
