Ontario man accused of orchestrating extortions, arsons of Winnipeg convenience stores
Posted April 29, 2026 2:28 pm.
A 26-year-old Ontario man who was arrested for his alleged role in the July 2025 extortion and arson of multiple Winnipeg businesses is now being accused by authorities of orchestrating those very crimes.
The Winnipeg Police Service alleges Kitchener’s Jahaid Hossain Maruf – one of the five suspects arrested – was involved in the planning, organization, and orchestration of the extortions and arsons.
BACKGROUND: Winnipeg extortion, arson investigation: 5 suspects arrested, 2 more at large
Having previously been charged with two counts of extortion, Maruf was charged Sunday with five additional counts of extortion, arson causing damage to property, and arson with disregard for human life.
He was re-arrested at the Winnipeg Remand Centre, where he remains in custody.
The WPS says all the alleged crimes happened between July 16 and July 23, 2025, by an “organized group of individuals.”
Authorities say a warehouse on Spruce Street and two convenience stores on Selkirk Avenue were the target of arson.
They allege three convenience stores – one on Main Street and two on Selkirk Avenue – were either extorted for money in exchange for protection from arson or threatened with extortion.
And they say a business on Portage Avenue reported a theft of $120 in merchandise during that time.
The five suspects already arrested range in age from 26 to 69.
Two suspects remain at large: 29-year-old Farhan Nabil and 40-year-old Jermaine Weekes. Canada-wide warrants have been issued, and Winnipeg police believe they are outside of the city.
“We will find you,” Insp. Jennifer McKinnon with the WPS major crimes division told a Jan. 26 press conference.
