Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Authorities in Calgary have made another breakthrough in a wide-ranging extortion investigation, with a 21-year-old man arrested following developments stemming from a traffic stop last month.
The Calgary Police Service said the suspect, identified as Jaskaran Singh, has been charged with discharging a firearm with intent. His arrest is tied to a string of extortion-related incidents that have unsettled sections of the city’s South Asian community.
Police traced the case back to March 7, when officers pulled over a vehicle in northeast Calgary that matched the description of one allegedly used in a shooting days earlier on Saddleridge Drive. The vehicle was seized, and further forensic examination helped investigators connect it to a broader pattern of criminal activity.
Officials said the evidence gathered from the stop, combined with earlier findings, allowed them to establish links between multiple suspects, vehicles and a series of extortion attempts that have involved threats and gun violence.
This marks the second arrest in the case within a week. Earlier, 45-year-old Rana Cheema was booked on charges of extortion and issuing threats, highlighting what police describe as a coordinated network behind the crimes.
Investigators revealed that since early 2025, Calgary has witnessed over 40 extortion attempts, including nearly 20 shooting incidents targeting homes, businesses and vehicles. Though no injuries have been reported, the repeated attacks have triggered concern and fear among residents.
Law enforcement agencies believe some of these operations may involve individuals being directed from overseas, with vulnerable newcomers, including international students and temporary workers, allegedly being drawn into criminal activities.
Officials are urging victims to report any threats immediately and avoid engaging with extortionists. They also advise preserving evidence such as messages or call records, as the investigation continues to expand.
Police say more arrests are likely as they intensify efforts to dismantle the network behind the extortion racket.
