Two 18-year-old men were arrested Wednesday by the Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) in an investigation related to the arson and shooting at a restaurant in the Saint-Laurent district last February and March.
Posted at 5:32pm
The Montreal Police Department arrested Nathan Purenne and Haithem Ben Hassine, both 18, on Wednesday. They appeared at the Montreal courthouse to face a firearms charge.
Following its investigation, the SPVM arrested and released three other suspects, aged 18 and 19. Charges could be brought later, the SPVM said in a press release issued on Thursday.
Eight searches were also carried out in the communes of Plateau-Mont-Royal, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles and in Laval, the SPVM specifies. Police seized two handguns, an assault weapon, a high-capacity magazine, ammunition, a ghost gun (made with a 3D printer), narcotics and cell phones.
A bullet-riddled display case
The investigation concerns a restaurant in the Saint-Laurent district, located near the intersection of Deslauriers and Benjamin-Hudon streets. On March 19, more than fifteen people staying at this restaurant were quite scared when the window was riddled with bullets at around 3:45 am. Nobody was injured. Police found housing on the ground while a suspect fled in a white car.
According to the SPVM, the same restaurant was the target of “arson and shooting” in February and March.
Similar crimes took place in Laval and the Northern Crown. The Laval Police Service (SPL), the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) and the SPVM are collaborating in an investigation and visibility project called Wick to put an end to these acts of violence.
The SPVM confirms that the investigation related to the restaurant in the Saint-Laurent district continues. It is managed by the Organized Crime Division’s Multi-Sectoral Firearms Team (EMAF), as well as Neighborhood Station 7 (Saint-Laurent) and the Fire and Explosives Division.
Anyone with information can communicate anonymously with 911, their neighborhood station, or with Info-Crime Montreal at 514-393-1133. Rewards of up to $3,000 may be awarded for information leading to arrests.