Thornhill
November 20, 2008 11:09 AM
Third man at large, police said
Joe Fantauzzi, Staff Writer
Two of three men identified by Ontario Provincial Police as suspects in the slaying of a Thornhill man have been arrested in Western Canada.
Mohammed Al Kazragy, 23 and Payam Khastou, 25, both of Toronto were picked up in Calgary, OPP investigators probing the murder of Ali Garakan, 47, said in an update this morning,
Both men were arrested when they were questioned “after attracting the attention of police by their suspicious activities,” OPP said.
They will be returned to Ontario for trial on charges of second degree murder.
The charges have not been proven.
A third man identified as a suspect by OPP in connection with Mr. Garakan’s death, Arash Arashvand, 22, also of Toronto, remains at large, police said.
An arrest warrant for second-degree murder has been issued for him.
On Nov. 7 at about 12:25 a.m., Nottawasaga OPP officers received a 911 call from a driver about a fire burning in the ditch along the 6th Line of Essa Township, south of Barrie.
Emergency workers converged on the area and found human remains, later identified by the OPP as those of Mr. Garakan.
An autopsy determined the cause of Mr. Garakan’s death as a stab wound to the chest.
His identity was proven through dental records, OPP said.
An investigation by the OPP, with help from York Regional Police and Toronto police, led to arrest warrants being issued for the three men in connection with the case.
OPP Sgt. Pierre Chamberland would not discuss the motive for the slaying when reached earlier this week. He said the motive will form part of the evidence to be presented in court.
If you have any information about the incident, call police at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.