Pubdate: Wed, 15 Apr 2015
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Kim Bolan
Page: A4

'DON'T YOU WORRY ABOUT IT,' GANGSTERS TELL POLICE

RCMP frustrated at arrogance of drug dealers as violence continues

Two groups of young drug dealers shooting at each other in public
places have refused to co-operate with police even when their members
have been wounded by flying bullets, Surrey's top cop said Tuesday.

"We believe these two groups are competing over turf and have chosen
to jeopardize public safety in that process," said Surrey RCMP Chief
Supt. Bill Fordy.

RCMP released another eight photographs of young men involved in the
battle and said they, along with five others identified last month,
are behind 19 brazen shootings in Surrey and North Delta over six weeks.

"This type of violence is completely unacceptable. Since the very
first shooting, the Surrey RCMP has been working diligently with our
law enforcement partners in Delta, the RCMP Lower Mainland district
and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit," Fordy said.

Fordy expressed frustration with the smugness of the young criminals,
saying one even told investigators "the bullets fell from the sky"
after he was shot.

Other comments made by the men include: "I will take care of it
myself" and "Don't you worry about it =C2=85 No need for you cops to be
here," he said.

"One of the victims also told investigators that he knew who the
shooters were and the motive behind the shooting but did not wish to
tell police," Fordy added.

Fordy and acting Delta police chief Lyle Beaudoin urged the young
gangsters to rethink their behaviour and tried to reassure the public
that law enforcement is doing everything it can.

Beaudoin said "the brazen nature of the shootings in residential and
other public locations where members of the community should feel safe
is hugely concerning and our utmost priority."

He said Surrey RCMP and Delta police are working closely together to
combat the violence.

"You are going to see police cars everywhere," Beaudoin
said.

Only one person linked to the shootings has so far been charged. As
The Vancouver Sun revealed Monday, 18-year-old Arman Dhatt is facing a
dozen firearms and drug trafficking charges after his arrest in North
Delta on Friday.

Fordy said Tuesday that Dhatt is still under investigation for a
possible link to the shootings.

But he said the investigations have been hampered by the total lack of
co-operation.

"As you can imagine, this lack of co-operation has significantly
impacted our ability to make any arrests," he said.

Fordy said most of those involved in this street-level drug war are
South Asian or Somali, so investigators have reached out to community
leaders and families of the young criminals.

Fordy said those involved in the conflict include Surrey residents
Adam Lakatos, Derrick Bequette, Chadanjot Gill, Charandeep Tiwana,
Tirath Taggar and Sukhraj Chahal, as well as Delta residents Shakiel
Basra and Sukhpreet Pansal.

Police are still seeking information about the activities of the men
whose names were released last month - Surrey residents Sameh
Mohammed, Amrit Kular, Indervir Johal and Pardeep Singh, and Delta
resident Pardip Brar.

Among the 13 men, Bequette, Gill, Pansal, Taggar, Tiwana, Johal and
Singh have all been shot, Fordy said.

[sidebar]

Timeline of Surrey shootings

March 9, 2015: At 9:27 p.m. Surrey RCMP were advised that a man had
been dropped off at a local hospital suffering of gunshot injuries.
Police attended the hospital and obtained the victim's details but
were unable to identify the origin of the man's injuries. The 20 year
old man was treated and released from hospital.

March 10: At 6:42 p.m. four men were driving in a Cadillac CTS near
127 Street and 78 Avenue when they were shot at by the occupants of
two vehicles, believed to be a black Acura TL and a Volkswagen Passat
or Jetta. One of the males was shot in the neck and transported to the
Surrey Memorial Hospital. None of the parties involved were
co-operative with the police.

March 10: At 11:09 p.m. multiple complainants reported a truck
shooting at a black Acura near 128 Street and 76 Avenue. Both vehicles
fled though casings were recovered at scene. There were no reports of
anyone attending local area hospitals with gunshot wounds.

March 11: At 1:31 p.m. a man was driving in his black Acura near 132
Street and 80 Avenue when he was shot at multiple times by the
occupant(s) of a white SUV. The male fled the scene in his vehicle and
drove to an apartment complex located at on 102 'A' Avenue. Members of
the Surrey RCMP Drug Unit located the black Acura, which had sustained
damage as a result of the shooting. Vehicle seized for forensic
examination. The male was located uninjured nearby and refused to
cooperate with the police.

March 11: At 11:50 p.m. Surrey RCMP responded to a call regarding a
man with a gunshot injury in the area of 193 Street and 80th Avenue.
That 28-year-old Langley man was transported to hospital to be treated
for his injuries. It has not been determined where that shooting took
place. This incident appears to be drug related and targeted.

March 12: At 3:30 a.m. Surrey RCMP responded to a report of shots
fired at a residence in the area of 94 Avenue and 126 Street. Everyone
was gone by the time police arrived. No injuries were reported. Police
have recovered evidence related to shots being fired from the area.

March 26: At 8:40 p.m. a man was stopped for a red light at Mall
Access Road (12500 block) of 88th Avenue when a black SUV pulled
alongside and shot into his vehicle. The man was struck in the left
hip and the passenger was struck in the left wrist and thigh. Both
drove to hospital for treatment and refused to cooperate with police.

Delta, March 27: At 11:02 p.m. multiple witnesses reported a four-door
sedan fired five to seven shots into a residence then fled. Shell
casings located in the front yard. Occupants in the residence at the
time were not struck.

March 28: At 8:38 p.m. multiple 911 calls of shots fired in the 9400
block of 125th Street, two vehicles observed fleeing. Police located
the victim vehicle near 93rd Avenue and 125th Street damaged by
gunfire. A man was located at a local area hospital and treated for a
gunshot wounds to his upper and lower arm. The man refused to
cooperate with the investigation.

April 1: At 11:40 p.m.. 911 calls reported a black Honda was pursuing
and firing shots into a Buick Regal southbound on 128th Street through
64th Avenue. Delta Police located Buick Regal with bullet holes and
arrested a man on scene. The male was released and refused to
cooperate with investigation. Shell casings recovered.

Delta, April 5: At 5:47 p.m. 911 calls report seven gunshots fired in
rapid succession in the 11400 block of 79th Avenue, Delta; however no
point of impact was located. Witnesses observed a silver four-door
sedan with two South Asian occupants. Shell casings seized at scene
and are under examination by Delta PD.

Delta, April 5: At 8:56 p.m. 911 caller reported five shots fired into
a residence. One bullet passed through the residence and struck a
neighbour's vehicle to the north. A grey vehicle was seen leaving the
scene. No shell casings were located.

April 8: At 4:48 a.m. Surrey police responded to a complaint of shots
fired in the 6800 block of 128th Street. A male was identified as a
driver for a dial-a-dope drug dealer when he was followed away from a
drug deal. The suspect vehicle began shooting at him from behind. The
male drove to a local hospital and was treated for one gunshot wound
to his back. The male was arrested on an outstanding warrant and
provided very limited cooperation.

April 10: At 5:05 a.m. Surrey police responded to a complaint of shots
fired in the 11700 block of 96 Avenue. Shots were fired into a
residence with people within the house. No one was injured and shell
casings were found outside the residence.

April 11: At 7:15 p.m. two males were driving in a vehicle when they
were approached by a Nissan Altima in the area of 128 Street and 60
Avenue. None of the males were injured. Bullet casings were seized
from the scene. The suspect vehicle has been seized by police.

April 12: At 4:47 p.m. police were in the area of 130 Street and 70
Avenue for an unrelated investigation when shots were heard. Police
located a male with an injury to his leg, his friend, and a vehicle
with bullet holes. The male was taken to hospital. There has been no
cooperation from these males.

April 12: At 8:54 p.m. police responded to a report of shots fired in
the area of 137 Street and 88 Avenue. Two males were observed walking
down the street getting into a vehicle. Police responded and located a
vehicle with bullet holes.

April 13: At 1:57 a.m. a grey four-door sedan and a grey Dodge Ram
truck were in the area of 77 Avenue and 146A Street when the occupants
of the sedan fired four or five shots at the truck. The victim vehicle
with bullet holes was located.

April 13: At 10:30 p.m. police responded to a report of shots fired
and a collision in the area of 148 Street and 69 Avenue. The driver of
the vehicle that collided with a parked car took off from the area and
was seen carrying a gun. The vehicle and bullet exhibits have been
seized from the scene. No one is co-operating with police.
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MAP posted-by: Matt