Police have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for two suspected gang members wanted in an ongoing armed “gang war kidnapping” investigation. Police say two teenagers were held at gunpoint for ransom, forced to play Russian roulette, tortured and sexually assaulted in Toronto over the course of two days.
Toronto police said a fight broke out between members of two rival gangs: the Young Buck Killas and the Queens Drive Crips. The fight occurred at a condo in the Front Street West and Blue Jays Way area of downtown Toronto in the early hours of April 19.
Investigators said there were eight to 10 handguns present at the building and gunshots were heard and shell casings located, but no calls were made to police.
Police said two 17-year-old boys — associated with the Queens Drive Crips gang — were kidnapped and “held against their will” at several locations throughout the city.
Investigators said the teenagers were repeatedly assaulted, tortured and threatened with death with firearms over the course of two days before a ransom demand was made.
No report of a kidnapping was made until April 19, when the two teenagers were located at a unit in a townhouse complex in the Swansea Mews neighbourhood, near Windemere Avenue and The Queensway, allegedly associated with the Young Buck Killas.
“At that location, the two 17-year-old youths were tied to a chair and beaten. During their beating they were forced to play Russian roulette with a loaded handgun. A shot was fired in the premises,” said Staff Insp. Mike Earl, adding that police had responded to the area for unrelated suspicious activity and the suspects left the scene undetected.
“The individuals were subsequently moved by these other gang members – tied up – to two different addresses in the Flemington Park and Replin Road area of Toronto.”
Earl added the two teenage boys were then tied to chairs and “beaten throughout the day.”
“While the beatings were taking place, there was ransom demands made to family members for the release of the victims,” he said, adding that police were notified by family members of the alleged victims.
Earl said officers then received information that one of the leaders of the Young Buck Killas gang was in the Jane and Finch area and he was subsequently arrested in a foot chase and charged with numerous offences.
Quinton Gardiner, 19, of Toronto, has been charged with kidnapping for ransom, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and four firearms offences. A search warrant was then executed by police at a home in the Shaughnessy Boulevard and Trailside Drive area on Sunday.
Police said a loaded Walther PPK 9mm handgun was located and Akil Whyte, 23, of Toronto was arrested. He was charged with seven firearms offences, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and two counts of failing to comply with a disposition.
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Deshawn Walters, 18, of Toronto, was also arrested Sunday charged with six firearms offences, two counts of failing to comply with recognizance, two counts of failing to comply with a disposition and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
A 16-year-old boy, of Toronto, who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested and charged with six firearms offences and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
All three suspects appeared in a Toronto court on Monday and police are asking the public for help locating two outstanding suspects, a 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy, now wanted on a countrywide arrest warrant for kidnapping.
On Friday, police said they had arrested 51-year-old Michael Hollinger of Toronto in connection with the alleged kidnapping. He has been charged with kidnapping, assault with a weapon and obstructing police and is set to appear in a Toronto court Saturday.
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Lincoln Anthony Richards, 23, is described as standing 6′ and weighing approximately 230 lbs. Earl said he is known to frequent the Finch Avenue and Martin Grove Road area, Swansea Mews, Leamington and Kingsville, Ont.
Police are also looking for Richards’ family members, who Earl said may have been present at the townhouse complex in the Swansea Mews neighbourhood.
“Both of these individuals are related to gangs in the city of Toronto, as are the victims. I wouldn’t call this an innocent stranger kidnapping,” said Earl, adding that the alleged incident was a “gang war kidnapping” meant to “send a message.”
“As police officers we don’t pick our victims. We’re here to protect everybody, so we need to step up here and prevent retaliations by apprehending these individuals as soon as we can.”
Photos of the suspects have been released by Toronto police in addition to surveillance video of the armed kidnapping. Police consider the suspects armed and dangerous and are asking members of the public not to approach them if seen, but instead to call 911.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto police, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at http://www.222tips.com, or by texting TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
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