Man Charged with Extortion

The Calgary Police Service Guns and Gangs Unit have charged a local man in connection with an alleged extortion plot.

In July 2013, the Service was contacted by a citizen who alleged he was being threatened by an individual who claimed he was owed a large sum of money in connection with a failed investment.

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, members of the Guns and Gangs Unit, with assistance from the Tactical Unit and the RCMP Emergency Response Team executed search warrants at two locations.

At approximately 6:30 a.m., a residence was searched in the 0 to 100 block of Royal Birkdale Court N.W. A man who was at the home at the time was arrested.

At around the same time, a rural property near secondary Highway 564 and Range Road 284 was also searched in connection with the investigation.

As a result of the investigation and subsequent warrants, Kenneth Peter Laurier LEBLANC, 45, of Calgary, has been charged with one count of extortion.

LEBLANC made his first court appearance today.