Calgary police arrest two men with alleged gang ties
Posted Dec 21, 2022 11:15 am.
Last Updated Dec 21, 2022 11:16 am.
Two Calgary men who police believe have ties to organized crime were arrested following an investigation and restaurant stake-out.
It started when investigators discovered that the two men had breached court-imposed conditions in November, which police say they actively evaded.
On Nov. 17, police believed the men were dining at the Vintage Chophouse on 11 Avenue SW.
After the men left the restaurant, the police made the arrests after a “brief foot chase.”
Two handguns were found on them, including a fully automatic Glock and a .38 special revolver.
A fully automatic Glock found by police. (CPS photo)
A .38 special revolver found by police. (CPS photo)
Police arrested 28-year-old Elvis Vukaj and 26-year-old Latef Reakwon Tag El Din.
The two have been charged with multiple counts of carrying a concealed weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and possession of a restricted/prohibited firearm with ammunition, and a combined 12 charges of failing to comply with a release order.
Tag El Din has been charged additionally with possession of a firearm knowing the serial number was altered, and two counts of possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order.
“These individuals breached their release conditions and were found to be carrying loaded firearms while out for dinner at a busy downtown Calgary restaurant. Their reckless actions put everyone’s safety inside that restaurant at risk,” said S. Sgt Roland Stewart of the Calgary Police Service Organized Crime Response Unit. “Gang violence doesn’t just impact those involved in organized crime — it impacts an individual’s friends, family members and innocent bystanders in close proximity to them.”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or leave a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
