Three Canadian soldiers among seven charged in violent crypto kidnapping

The investigation began after a man was ambushed near Finch and Bayview avenues on July 25. According to Toronto Police Superintendent Joe Matthews, the victim was handcuffed and beaten while his captors demanded access to his cryptocurrency holdings and business security systems. Though he was eventually released, the incident triggered a swift police response that tracked the suspects' vehicle within 24 hours.

Searches of the suspects' properties revealed 2,500 rounds of ammunition later confirmed to be stolen from the Canadian Armed Forces, alongside firearms with 3D-printed parts, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Two of the military personnel charged, 22-year-old Talarambage Fernando and 29-year-old James Moreau, served as bombardiers with the 7th Toronto Regiment; a third soldier, Jack Miley, was also arrested. The Department of National Defence has since removed the men from duty and launched an internal probe into its ammunition inventory controls, admitting that the missing rounds had not been reported prior to the police recovery.