York Regional Police have apprehended the second suspect in connection with the disappearance of a Richmond Hill woman from her Wasaga Beach home three months ago.
Harshdeep Binner, of Brampton, was in police custody late Thursday, April 14 after a Canada-wide arrest warrant had been issued earlier in the day.
He was identified as one of two suspects in connection with an alleged attack against Elnaz Hajtamiri on Dec. 20, 2021.
Officers were called to King William Crescent, in the area of Yonge Street and Bantry Avenue, following a report that Hajtamiri was attacked and struck with a frying pan in an underground parking garage.
The attack was interrupted by a concerned citizen and the suspects fled in a vehicle, police said.
Hajtamiri was taken to hospital, and required numerous stitches to close a massive gash on her forehead.
Through a followup investigation police said they discovered a suspect vehicle had been stolen from the Finch Avenue and Don Mills Road area of Toronto. It was eventually recovered.
Investigators eventually identified two suspects, police said.
Binner is charged with attempted murder, kidnapping and other crimes.
On April 13, Riyasat Singh, 23, of Brampton, was arrested. He is charged with attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and mischief under $5,000.
Earlier this year, Hajtamiri’s ex-boyfriend, Mohamad Lilo, 34, was charged with criminal harassment. He has not been charged in connection to the Dec. 20 assault or Hajtamiri’s abduction.
The most recent charges come two days after police held a news conference appealing for information on the whereabouts of Hajtamiri.
She was forcibly taken from a Trailwood Place home Jan. 12 by three men who were wearing police gear and claimed to have a warrant for her arrest.
York officers are working closely with OPP investigators looking into her abduction from Wasaga Beach.
Anyone with information on the Richmond Hill assault is asked to call the York Regional Police #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau designated tip line at 1-866-876-5423 , ext. 7250 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.
OPP have also set up a tip line — 1-833-728-3415 — in hopes of generating leads.
