The OPP has drawn a link between a December 2021 assault Elnaz Hajtimiri suffered in Richmond Hill and her January 2022 abduction in Wasaga Beach.
During a virtual update on the case this morning, OPP Detective Inspector Martin Graham, Major Case Manager, OPP Criminal Investigation Branch provided more details.
“Surveillance photos of two suspects involved in Elnaz’s attack from December 20th were released by York Regional Police on Feb 10th, 2022,” he said. “We are again sharing those suspect photos (below) because we believe as police, these same individuals are either involved with, or can identify, those who are responsible for Elnaz’s forceful abduction from the Wasaga Beach residence in January.”
The assault happened on December 20th in a Richmond Hill parking garage at Elnaz’s home located on King William Crescent.
She was beaten with a frying pan. Her assailants then fled in a stolen vehicle and she had to be taken to the hospital to receive stitches after receiving a gash in her forehead.
Today police revealed there has been no information to provide a motive or rationale for this crime and no ransom demand has been received to date.
37-year-old Elnaz also goes by the surname Tamiri.
On the evening of January 12th, three black males, dressed in police gear, but not actual uniforms, forced their way into a home on Trailwood Place. They fled with the victim in what is believed to be a white, 2016-2022 model Lexus RX sport utility vehicle (below).
“The OPP and members of Elnaz’s family have had one goal since the abduction occurred; to find Elnaz and bring her home safely. We hope that anyone with any information will do the right thing. Come forward to police and help bring resolution to Elnaz’s family,” says Inspector Graham.
Today Farsi and Arabic-speaking OPP members recapped the known investigative activities to date and directed their appeals for any information to Iranian communities in the Greater Toronto Area and Montréal, encouraging the information to be shared widely in those communities.
The OPP also released a video statement from Elnaz’s mother, Fariba Hajtamiri, who lives in Iran.
“We desperately need your help. If you have any information, please share with the police. I beg you, as a mother, to guide us and tell us anything you know. Please help us find Elnaz,” she said.
A dedicated tip line has been established by police for the case. It’s 1-833-728-3415.
Elnaz is described as 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. She emigrated from Iran to Canada less than four years ago.
Anyone with any information is asked to call the dedicated tip line or your local police service. Information can also be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Members of the public are strongly urged to help share the information and photos of Elnaz using the hashtag #BringElnazHome.
#BringElnazHome Investigation Update https://t.co/xP8i7R8LzW
— Ontario Provincial Police (@OPP_News) April 12, 2022