A man from Mississauga has been apprehended in Texas and is now facing charges linked to an assault on Elnaz Hajtamiri, a Mississauga woman who went missing in 2022. The 25-year-old individual is currently in custody in York Region, as stated by York police in a recent news release. He has been charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit an indictable offense.
The arrest of the accused took place in Texas by the U.S. Marshals Service in August, after which he was brought back to Canada to face charges. Authorities allege that the man was involved in an attack on Hajtamiri that occurred prior to her abduction. The incident reportedly took place in December 2021 when Hajtamiri was assaulted with a frying pan in an underground parking garage in Richmond Hill. She sustained non-life-threatening injuries and a head wound that necessitated 40 stitches before the suspects fled the scene.
Several weeks later, in January 2022, three suspects wearing fake police uniforms forcibly entered the relative’s house in Wasaga Beach where Hajtamiri was staying post the attack and kidnapped her. The suspects fled in a white Lexus SUV, and Hajtamiri has not been seen since.
In total, eight individuals, including Hajtamiri’s ex-boyfriend, have been arrested in connection with the December attack. Authorities suspect a potential link between those involved in the assault and the subsequent kidnapping. A $100,000 reward has been offered for information leading to Hajtamiri’s location, and York police urge anyone with relevant details to come forward either directly to them or through Crime Stoppers.