Seven teens arrested in Saint-Leonard in connection with organized crime
Police arrested seven teens aged 14 to 17 in Saint-Leonard last Thursday in connection with organized crime.
According to Montreal police (SPVM), the teens had broken into a building on Jean-Talon Street East in mid-June and used it for cover since.
"Despite their young age, the suspects were implicated in many violent crimes," said the SPVM in a news release.
Police tied the group of teens to robberies, arson, extortion and gun violence.
All seven will appear in youth court facing mischief and breaking-and-entering charges. Four of them were already in custody as part of separate legal proceedings.
Arrest mandates have been issued for two more suspects, aged 16 and 20.
Rise in arson
There was a string of arsons on the island over the last week, including a Rockaberry in Saint-Leonard over the weekend and a torched car in the area a few days later. A depanneur in Verdun was targeted on Monday. Police are still investigating last week's fire in Old Montreal.
Retired Montreal police detective Pietro Poletti called the recent surge in arsons "surreal."
He says organized crime groups have been tasking street gangs with money collection, "like a bounty hunter." According to Poletti, there are dozens of street gangs in Montreal and young people are especially recruited as they're happy with smaller cuts.
"These young kids that are committing these acts, first of all, they're not mature. They're 15, 16, they have weapons. They don't think of the consequences," he said.
He said police need to "put their foot down."
Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante said the situation is worrying but that she and the SPVM "take this very seriously."
With files from Matthew Grillo
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump says he 'shouldn't have left' the White House as he closes campaign with increasingly dark message
Donald Trump, who said in Pennsylvania on Sunday that he regrets leaving the White House in 2021, is ending the 2024 campaign the way he began it – dishing out a stew of violent, disparaging rhetoric and repeated warnings that he will not accept defeat if it comes.
Guelph, Ont. woman says she was pushed to homelessness and 'thrown on the street'
For people living on the fringe of society, the line between the safety and security of a home and homelessness is very thin.
James Van Der Beek says he has colorectal cancer
The 'Dawson’s Creek' alum told People magazine in a statement published Sunday that he has colorectal cancer.
Where should Canada look to improve its housing situation? The answer may shock you
Housing experts argue widespread adoption of government-supported affordable housing, the growth of alternative models like co-operatives and co-housing, and the increased use of advanced building techniques could all play a role in improving Canada's housing system.
No strike notice so far as talks continue between Canada Post and workers' union
Canada Post says talks are continuing with the union that represents postal workers and neither side has given notice of a work stoppage.
U.K. prosecutors are mulling whether to charge Russell Brand over sex assault allegations
British prosecutors say they have been given a file of evidence from police about alleged sexual offenses by comedian Russell Brand and are considering whether to charge him.
Federal mediators on site for negotiations between B.C. port employer and union
Federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says federal mediators are standing by and ready to help hammer out a deal in order to avoid a labour disruption at ports across British Columbia.
Winnipeg transit union raises concerns over violence after bus driver has gun pointed at him
The executive vice-president of Winnipeg’s transit union is raising concerns over an increase in violent incidents on buses after an operator allegedly had a gun pointed at him early Friday morning in front of police headquarters.
Trump wants to narrow his deficit with women but he's not changing how he talks about them
Donald Trump's campaign has used sexist and crude language, expressing alarm at the idea of women voting differently than their partners.