Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.
Police in Laval, Que., say they are cracking down on a gang extorting restaurants and other businesses in the city.
The gang, known as the Greeks of Chomedey, is still active, the Laval police service (SPAL) said in a media release on Wednesday, despite the recent shooting death of its purported leader.
“The SPAL reaffirms its zero tolerance policy toward extortion and wishes to put an end to these illegal activities carried out by criminal groups, including the Greeks of Chomedey,” said Karine Ménard, the assistant director of the Laval police force’s criminal investigations division.
“We ask business owners to work with us in complete confidence, because every piece of information can make a real difference in putting an end to these activities.”
Extortion instances are increasing in Laval, police said, even as the criminal landscape in the city shifts in the wake of the brazen daylight shooting of Charalambos Theologou, an organized crime figure known as “Bobby the Greek.”
Officers are going to be proactively meeting with local businesses in an attempt to help them deal with potential extortion threats from gangs such as the Greeks of Chomedey. As of Oct. 31, 2025, Laval police say they’ve opened 61 files tied to extortion reports.
The former leader of the Greeks of Chomedey, Theologou was assassinated inside a Laval Starbucks in October. Police who had been tailing Theologou were present in the café when he was killed, according to police sources. Two of his associates were also injured in the shooting. Nobody has so far been arrested in connection with his death.
The Greeks of Chomedey were known for their involvement in restaurant extortion.
After the killing, CBC consulted police documents that revealed the depth of Theologou’s purported involvement in extortion and drug trafficking.
Handwritten ledgers found at Theologou’s home as part of a 2019 homicide investigation showed the names of Montreal-area restaurants alongside dollar amounts, sometimes in excess of $100,000.
A police affidavit filed at the time said the lists showed people and businesses that were being extorted by Theologou.
The documents and other material, including drugs and a bulletproof vest, reinforced investigators’ view that Theologou was the head of an active drug trafficking and extortion network.
Despite his death, Laval police said they have noticed an uptick in extortion attempts and changes in gang extortion tactics. As of Oct. 31, 2025, they have opened 61 files tied to extortion reports.
Police say they will visit businesses proactively to help them manage extortion attempts and encourage them to speak out.
“Merchants and businesses who have been forced to pay money to criminal groups or individuals in the context of extortion are not considered criminals, but rather victims,” the SPAL media release said.
“It is essential to report any suspicious or criminal activity. Every piece of information can make a difference in an investigation and support evidence gathered in ongoing police investigations, thereby helping to bring charges.”
Police say businesses can protect themselves by signalling any instances of extortion to police by calling 911 in an emergency or dialing 450 662-INFO (4636). They can also install alarm systems and make sure their employees are watchful for suspicious activity, police said.
