Abbotsford’s internal extortion task force continued to investigate Singh, who now faces additional charges relating to the Dec. 17 shooting. Sgt. Paul Walker said the new charges include “extortion using a firearm, possession of a restricted firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence and occupying a vehicle knowing a firearm is present.”

Abbotsford investigators worked with the Surrey Police Service, Walker said, “sharing evidence obtained during the arrest of Gursewak Singh to support two separate SPS investigations.”

The arson took place 24 hours later in the parking lot of a business in the 12400-block Old Yale Road. Two vehicles were lit on fire, causing significant damage. This business had also received extortion threats.

The Surrey charges include reckless discharge of a firearm, possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm, extortion using a firearm, occupying a vehicle knowing there was a firearm present, arson and extortion.

Surrey police Sgt. Ali Gailus said investigators want to hear from anyone with additional information about Singh. They can contact SPS’s non-emergency number at 604-599-0502 or the extortion tip lineat 236-485-5149.

“Let this be clear: People using threats, fire and firearms to terrorize businesses and families will be pursued by police, put before the courts, and held accountable,” Krieger said.

“Through recent arrests and removals from Canada, police and the Canada Border Services Agency are making meaningful progress in holding extortionists to account,” Krieger said.

RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald told the May 12 forum that the provincial extortion task force, and efforts by investigative partners, had contributed to the decrease in cases.

“I think this is directly attributable not only to the work of the provincial task force, but the coordinated effort by all of the partners here,” he said. “We have had significant success in terms of charges laid, of removal of suspects, of suspects leaving the province of their own volition, but we’ve also seen an incredible increase in cooperation from victims, from community, and an increased awareness of just how these crimes occur.”

But he said thats despite the positive shift, “it’s very important to recognize that a sustained prolonged effort coordinated across all police agencies, not only municipal, provincial, federal but if required, international, is going to be necessary to continue to see the success that we’ve seen.”