Elnaz Missing Since January 2022 from Wasaga Beach
The OPP, in conjunction with York Regional Police (YRP), are offering a $100,000 reward to anyone with information that will lead to the location of Elnaz Hajtamiri.
The 37-year-old Elnaz – who also goes by the surname Tamiri – was abducted at 8:32 p.m. on January 12, 2022 from a home on Trailwood Place in Wasaga Beach, Ontario by three suspects dressed in police gear, but not actual uniforms. They drove away in what is believed to be a white Lexus RX sport utility vehicle.
Two composite sketches created by the OPP Forensic Artist have been released to the public showing two of the three masked suspects who abducted Elnaz. Both suspects in the sketches wore dark jackets over their fake police vests, a balaclava with white trim pulled up over their nose and mouth, a gold, red and blue badge chained around their neck and dark pants.
Suspect #1: The first suspect is described as approximately 6’0″ tall, very skinny, lighter black skin, with a long narrow face. He had a thick black belt with an attached handcuff pouch and holstered black gun with a magazine inside. The gun appeared to have been worn, with metal areas exposed.
Suspect #2: The second suspect is described as approximately 5’9″ tall with lighter black skin. He is stocky with skinny legs, wearing white/cream shoes with a plastic toe cap, cotton black gloves and in possession of imitation handcuffs.
Suspect #3: The third suspect is approximately 5’9″ tall, lighter coloured skin, possibly Middle Eastern and thin. It was suspected that he had a firearm in his jacket.
Elnaz Hajtamiri stands approximately 160 cm (5’3″) tall. She is of slim build and had shoulder-length black hair until it had been cut to a shorter length before she was abducted. Elnaz emigrated from Iran to Canada less than five years ago.
A year later, the victim has yet to be located and the family and police continue to appeal for any information from the public.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the OPP non-emergency line at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit tips online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca/submit-a-tip. Members of the public are strongly urged to help share previously released social media information and photos of Elnaz HAJTAMIRI using the hashtag #BringElnazHome.
“Nothing weighs more heavily on our souls than the idea that we may never know what happened to Elnaz. We know there are people out there who have information and who may be contemplating whether to come forward. We pray that you will do the right thing and help us out of this suffering and bring justice for Elnaz.”
-Fariba Hajtamiri, Elnaz’s mother
“We ask the public to look closely at the sketches – we know someone recognizes these suspects and can provide us that one bit of information that will lead to Elnaz’s whereabouts. We hope that anyone with any information will do the right thing by coming forward to police. Help us bring resolution to Elnaz’s family.”
– OPP Detective Inspector Martin Graham, Major Case Manager, Criminal Investigation Branch
The Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board has approved a $50,000 reward, which combined with the Ontario Provincial Police reward of the same amount, has resulted in a $100,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the location of Elnaz HAJTAMIRI and/or the identification, arrest and conviction of those responsible for her disappearance.
HAJTAMIRI, 37, was abducted at approximately 8:30 p.m. on January 12, 2022, from a Wasaga Beach residence by three suspects dressed in fake police gear. They fled in a white Lexus RX sport utility vehicle.
Three weeks before her kidnapping, she was attacked in a Richmond Hill underground garage, by suspects who have since been arrested and charged.
On April 13, 2022, York Regional Police arrested and charged Riyasat SINGH with Attempted Murder, Attempted Kidnapping, Mischief to Property over $5,000 and Possession of Stolen Property over $5,000. On November 28, 2022, SINGH pleaded guilty to one count of Aggravated Assault and was sentenced to one of year jail time, however he was deported on December 14, 2022.
Also in April 2022, a Canada-wide warrant was issued for a second suspect, identified as Harshdeep BINNER from Brampton. He was charged with Attempted Murder, Attempted Kidnapping, Mischief to Property over $5,000 and Possession of Stolen Property over $5,000. BINNER currently remains in custody at this time and will appear next in Newmarket Court on January 20, 2023.
Also arrested at that time was Harjot SANDHU, of Brampton, who was charged Accessory After the Commission of an Indicatable Offence after assisting BINNER in evading police detection.SANDHU was released on bail on December 5, 2022, with court-imposed conditions. He will appear next in court on January 18, 2023.
On July 12, 2022, Mohamad LILO, Elnaz’s ex-boyfriend, was arrested jointly with the Ontario Provincial Police in relation to the underground attack and was charged with Attempted Murder and Attempted Kidnapping.
“York Regional Police is hopeful that the $100,000 reward will result in information that will help us to bring those responsible to justice and provide needed closure to the family,” said Chief Jim MacSween. “Thanks to our Police Services Board for supporting us in this initiative. We will continue working diligently with the OPP and will do whatever we can to support them in their investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
