Police offer $ 50K rewards for suspects
Men accused of murder and attempted murder
Toronto police are offering up to $ 50,000 in rewards over separate cases of homicide and attempted murder.
The first case involves 27- year- old Tommy Ngo, who is facing a seconddegree murder charge in the stabbing death of Russell Sahadeo, 23. Police say Sahadeo was stabbed in the abdomen by two males in September 2015 at Noble Park in the Eglinton West and Scarlett Road area.
The stabbing followed a verbal altercation, and police don’t believe it was a targeted attack.
One suspect, Marcus Lee, surrendered to police and was charged. “Tommy Ngo has continued to evade arrest,” said Det. Sgt. Les Dunkley of the homicide unit at a news conference Wednesday.
He noted a Canada- wide warrant has been in effect since 2015 and police have issued his composite sketch, a photograph and video seeking public assistance in locating him.
Police have been in contact with Ngo’s family, who claim they haven’t seen him since the time of the incident. Dunkley said investigators believe Ngo is somewhere in the GTA, and warned anyone that may be helping him escape justice that they may be charged with accessory after the fact.
“To Tommy Ngo directly: it’s time to do the right thing. Contact a lawyer and turn yourself in to police,” he added.
The second case is about Usman Kassim — also known as Oltunde Adeniyi, Steven Matturie, and Roman. The 40- year- old is wanted on six outstanding Canada- wide warrants for attempted murder and several other charges. According to police, Kassim was first identified as a suspect in January 2020 on charges of assault, criminal harassment and fail to comply. In April of that year, he allegedly was driving a car when a passenger fired shots at a couple in another vehicle. No one was injured in that incident which took place near Leslie Street and Sheppard Avenue. Kassim faces two counts of attempted murder in that incident.
In October 2021, Kassim allegedly held a woman at gunpoint and threatened her life in an underground parking garage near Sheppard Avenue and Yorkland Road. Officers located him but he managed to escape by ramming a police car. He faces multiple firearm charges, threatening death and flight from police in that case.
Kassim is also believed to be in the GTA. His last known addresses were in Woodbridge and Toronto.
“We consider him to be armed, violent and dangerous. And as with Tommy Ngo, no one should try and apprehend these men on their own,” said Det. Sgt. Michelle Olszevski from the Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force, adding those with information should contact police.
The $ 50,000 rewards are being offered through the program known as BOLO, for “Be on the Lookout.” The program, fully funded through charitable donations, was launched in 2018 with the goal of encouraging members of the public to help provide information that are relevant to the arrest of fugitives.
The two rewards are in effect till the end of September this year.
Since its launch, the BOLO program has offered more than $ 500,000 in rewards, leading to multiple campaigns, hundreds of important tips and seven arrests.