The Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) has arrested several suspects involved in a series of crimes against a company in the Saint-Laurent district.
Last February and March, the Syrian restaurant Bab Sharqi – located on the corner of Deslauriers and Benjamin-Hudon streets – was the target of gunshots and several arson attacks. The last incident happened around 3:45 am on March 19.
A total of five suspects, aged 18 and 19, were arrested and eight searches were carried out in the Plateau-Mont-Royal, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve and Rivière-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles districts and in Laval.
Only two of the arrested suspects were formally charged and appeared at the Montreal courthouse. Charges against the three other suspects could eventually be brought, the SPVM said.
Nathan Purenne and Haithem Ben Hassine, both 18, face gun charges.
Keep in mind that this is not the first time this company has become a target of criminals as it was the victim of an arson attack in November 2022.
“The police investigation, which is ongoing, is being led by the Multisectoral Firearms Team (EMAF) of the Organized Crime Unit of the SPVM. Neighborhood Watch 7 (Saint-Laurent) and the Fire and Explosives Unit are working closely together,” police said in a press release.