The residences of individuals linked to a dangerous street gang in West Montreal were searched on Wednesday morning as part of the investigation into the murder of gang leader Arsène Mompoint, learned The Press.
Very early, at 4 a.m., investigators from the Organized Crime Murders and Disappearances Investigation Division (DEMDCO) of the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) broke into four residences of individuals linked to the Rolling 90s, a violent gang present in Pierrefonds and Pointe-Claire.
No one has been arrested. These are searches under investigation.
However, the searches targeted individuals who allegedly played a significant role in the crime.
Mompoint, 47, was seated with other individuals at The Green Room cannabis store on Route 344 in Kanesatake on 1er July 2021, when a suspect immediately walked towards the group, quietly approached the victim from behind, pulled a handgun from his kangaroo pocket and opened fire, hitting Mompoint at the head.
The suspect, who ran away, was wearing a blindfold that partially concealed his face.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE SÛRETÉ DU QUÉBEC
Image of the suspect in the murder of Arsène Mompoint released by the Sûreté du Québec
He would have arrived on the spot aboard a Ford sport van, old model, pale in color, a photo of which was released by the Sûreté du Québec.
He reportedly fled in a vehicle that was found burned shortly after the crime, a few kilometers away, in rang Sainte-Sophie, in Oka.
In the line of the police
A few weeks ago, investigators from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) arrested six individuals linked to the Rolling 90s and seized as many firearms.
They apprehended another man for drug trafficking and possession of ammunition on Wednesday morning.
Members of the Rolling 90’s are suspected of being involved in arms trafficking and violent crimes.
An individual close to the Rolling 90s, Marckens Vilme, was found guilty by a jury in Brampton, Ontario and sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole for 25 years, for the murder of an Ontario Hells Angel committed in March 2019.
Enemy gang leaders
Arsène Mompoint was considered by the police to be an influential actor in Montreal organized crime and a contractor for the Mafia and other criminal groups.
According to our information, the gang leader was implicated, in particular as a sponsor, in numerous murders and other crimes that have occurred in recent years in the Montreal region and even in other countries.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE SÛRETÉ DU QUÉBEC
Late mob boss Andrew Scoppa (left) and gang leader Arsene Mompoint (right) during a 2016 police tailing during the Estacade investigation, which targeted Scoppa
An SPVM investigator had testified in court that Mompoint had notably worked for Salvatore Scoppa – who has since been murdered – who, with his brother Andrew, had attempted a putsch against the Sicilian clan of the Montreal mafia in 2016.
It was well known that Mompoint was in conflict with other important actors in Montreal organized crime, including gang leader Gregory Woolley, close to the Sicilian clan.
To reach Daniel Renaud, dial 514 285-7000, ext. 4918, write to [email protected] or write to the postal address of The Press.