The Montreal Police Service (SPVM) announced that it had arrested eight suspects aged 15 to 21 overnight from Thursday to Friday in the metropolis. Two firearms were also seized in separate events.
The night from Thursday to Friday was fruitful in terms of crime prevention in Montreal. The SPVM was able to intercept suspects in possession of a firearm before a violent crime occurred.
The first wave of arrests took place around 10 p.m. Thursday evening when a citizen reported to the SPVM that he had seen three people with a firearm. The individuals were in a black car parked in front of a building in a residential area of the borough of Ahuntsic-Cartierville.
Intervening quickly, the police arrested three suspects, men aged 15, 18 and 26. In the vehicle, they found a loaded pistol. One of the suspects had already been arrested in the past with a firearm, the SPVM said in a press release.
Break and enter in Outremont
That same night, around 1:30 a.m., an Outremont resident called 911 when a group of people broke into his building.
The suspects eventually left the scene without entering the apartment and fled in a vehicle. This was found by the police.
The five occupants of the vehicle, four men and a woman aged 19 to 21, were arrested. One of them was in possession of a loaded handgun. Another had a hammer on him.
An investigation has been opened in the file.
CENTAUR Strategy
Remember that the SPVM works closely with CENTAURE, the Quebec strategy to combat armed violence implemented by the Ministry of Public Security.
This strategy benefits from funding of nearly 250 million dollars until 2027. Nearly 140 million of this sum is dedicated to repression, and 104 million to prevention.
Anyone with information related to armed violence in Montreal can contact 911 or their neighborhood station.
It is also possible to communicate anonymously and confidentially with Info-Crime Montréal at 514 393-1133 or via the reporting form available on the infocrimemontreal.ca website. Rewards of up to $3,000 may be awarded under certain conditions by Info-Crime Montreal for information leading to the arrest of suspects.