Two members of the Canadian Armed Forces were arrested by Toronto police on Aug. 11 on charges related to organized crime, kidnapping and firearms theft, the Department of National Defence said.
Sachintha Fernando, 22, and James Moreau, 29, both bombardiers with the 7 Toronto Regiment, face a combined 49 charges, Toronto police spokesperson Nadine Ramadan said in an email Tuesday. Both are charged with kidnapping for ransom, forcible confinement, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, use of a firearm during the commission of an indictable offence, and mischief interfering with property.
Fernando faces additional firearms-related counts, including unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, possession of property obtained by crime, and careless storage of ammunition, Ramadan said.
DND said the two have been removed from duties and their access to military facilities and bases has been restricted. They remain members of the armed forces pending the result of an administrative review.
Fernando enrolled as a reservist in January 2020 and has not been deployed. Moreau enrolled as a reservist in March 2018 and was deployed in 2020 on Operation Laser, the military’s COVID-19 pandemic response.
Toronto police said the investigation remains ongoing and more details will be released at a later date.
Christian Leuprecht, a professor at the Royal Military College and Queen’s University, told CBC Radio’s Metro Morning that reserve members are not regular force members or officers. They receive basic military qualification and trades training, but do not hold positions of responsibility and sensitivity comparable to regular force members, he said.
Leuprecht said the armed forces must ensure members receive appropriate supervision and conduct themselves in line with the country’s rules and laws. “It’s always concerning when members in uniform don’t live up to the expectations that the public has of them,” he said. He noted the military is trying to grow quickly and meet targets, but called the incidents “outliers.”
Sources: Global News Canada · CBC Politics