Four young people, aged 15 to 18, have been arrested by the Service de Police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG) for attacking other minors with a gun, and authorities are warning teenagers who could be targeted for various reasons .
According to the SPVG, young people could be targeted for high-quality clothing.
A 17-year-old was arrested on Wednesday for running a drug trafficking network and for violent crimes against other teenagers.
The suspect is said to have brutally beaten and humiliated two 17-year-old victims who resold in his human trafficking network in recent months. Other youths were also arrested in this case.
Expensive items were also stolen from the victims, including their cell phones, a leather bag and $800 worth of Nike Jordan shoes.
“The SPVG would like to warn young people who wear shoes of this value or other expensive accessories or clothing popular with young people because they could unintentionally become prime targets for thieves, even if they have nothing to do with drug trafficking and are not involved engage in illegal activities,” he said in a press release.
The four youths are charged with assault with a weapon, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and drug trafficking.
The SPVG expects further arrests as the investigation progresses.
Anyone with information about these crimes or this group of people, or who believes they may have been a victim of these perpetrators, is asked to contact the SPVG at 819-243-4636, option 5.