Alleged Alberta Bitcoin extortionist, arsonist arrested
Finbar Hughes, 21, is a suspect in an arson case, connected to an attempt to extort bitcoin from victims in Calgary's Hillhurst community. (Photo: Calgary police)
Authorities have arrested Finbar Hughes, a man wanted in connection with alleged plots in Calgary and Edmonton that threatened to burn victims' homes if they did not pay him Bitcoin ransoms.
Hughes was identified by Calgary police following an arson in the northwest community of Hillhurst.
Following an investigation, he was arrested on Dec. 4.
Police said he is responsible for attempting to burn down another home to force the victims to pay him in Bitcoin.
In addition to his accused crimes in Calgary, Hughes is also believed to be responsible for three similar incidents in Edmonton this fall.
The Edmonton Police Service said fires were set in Holyrood on two separate occasions. On Sept. 23, a vehicle was set alight and on Oct. 19, a home was set on fire.
Another home, in Edmonton's Cloverdale neighborhood, was targeted on Oct. 13.
As in the Calgary incidents, police said handwritten notes were left at both locations, instructing the owners to pay Bitcoin or risk their home being set on fire.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Singh calls on Canada to stop critical minerals exports to U.S. amid Trump tariff threat
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the only way to deal with 'bully' U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and his looming tariff threat is to make him feel the 'pain' of Canada's retaliatory measures.
Norovirus cases are rising in Canada. Here's advice from a doctor
Canadian health officials are reporting a rising number of cases of the highly contagious norovirus disease in Canada, warning that the elderly and young children are most at risk.
Four youths arrested after teenager stabbed during altercation inside Hillcrest High School
Two people were seriously injured during an altercation at an Ottawa high school on Monday morning. Ottawa police say four youths are in custody.
Alberta premier talks about 'tariff-free relationship' with the U.S.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump went well, but the leader's tariff threat has not been averted.
Francois-Philippe Champagne to announce Tuesday if he's running for leader
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne plans to reveal Tuesday whether he will run in the upcoming party leadership race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Canada and U.S. warships join forces in South China Sea through contested waters
The United States Navy's USS Higgins joined HMCS Ottawa in the South China Sea, near the contested Scarborough Shoal, on Thursday. The two warships travelled south together towards the Spratly Islands – a number of which China has militarized.
Bishop's students allege teacher uses degrading terms, university doing nothing
Students at Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Que., say they're shocked and appalled by the school's apparent lack of action over a teacher they allege has been using derogatory language in her classroom for years.
Canada Post stamps just got more expensive
Canada Post is raising the price of stamps, starting today. Stamps purchased in a booklet, coil or pane will cost 25 cents more at $1.24 per stamp. The price of a single domestic stamp is now $1.44, up from $1.15.
More firefighters rush to Los Angeles as stronger winds are forecast
A growing force of firefighters moved into the Los Angeles area Monday as more powerful winds were expected to trigger new wildfires that could set back the recent progress made in containing blazes that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.
Edmonton
-
Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley joins labour-focused law firm
Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley is returning to her legal roots, joining western Canadian law firm Southern Butler Price.
-
Thousands of school support workers off the job in Edmonton, nearby communities
Education support workers began gathering under pitch-black pre-dawn skies in Edmonton and some nearby communities as a strike got underway.
-
And then there were 3: Vote for Edmonton's city bird in final round
Birds of a feather flock together, proven by the thousands of Edmonton-area residents who cast their vote in the first round of competition to determine the official city bird.
Lethbridge
-
What Alberta is doing to prevent wildfires in Canmore, Bow Valley
As Alberta nears the start of another wildfire season, there are efforts underway to safeguard against wildfires in Canmore and the Bow Valley.
-
'Good neighbours': Montana residents share thoughts on Trump's '51st state' threat
As U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to annex Canada, some residents in Montana are sharing their thoughts on the idea of Canada becoming the “51st state.”
-
Man dies after falling into sink hole at Fernie Alpine Resort
An investigation is underway by Elk Valley RCMP after a man died Wednesday after falling into a sink hole at Fernie Alpine Resort.
Vancouver
-
Suspect at large after violent home invasion: B.C. RCMP
Mounties in Quesnel, B.C., say they’re searching for one of two suspects involved in a home invasion that took place in the early hours of Sunday morning.
-
Langley RCMP issue 120 speeding tickets during 3-week blitz
Mounties in Langley, B.C., are urging drivers to slow down after officers handed out 120 speeding tickets during a recent three-week enforcement blitz.
-
Crews rescue unconscious skier after fall on Vancouver Island mountain
Search and rescue crews successfully extracted a seriously injured skier off a B.C. mountain over the weekend.
Vancouver Island
-
Crews rescue unconscious skier after fall on Vancouver Island mountain
Search and rescue crews successfully extracted a seriously injured skier off a B.C. mountain over the weekend.
-
Langley RCMP issue 120 speeding tickets during 3-week blitz
Mounties in Langley, B.C., are urging drivers to slow down after officers handed out 120 speeding tickets during a recent three-week enforcement blitz.
-
Extreme weather fallout: Experts warn Canadian home insurance premiums to rise this year
As California deals with devastating wildfires, experts are warning homeowners about the impact of severe weather in Canada this year.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. teen who allegedly set classmate on fire scheduled to plea next month
A teen girl who allegedly set her classmate on fire is set to make a plea at Saskatoon Provincial Court next month.
-
Driver killed in single-vehicle crash in Stonebridge on Sunday, police say
Saskatoon police say a driver was killed in an early-morning crash in Stonebridge on Sunday.
-
Two charged after alleged smuggling of illegal guns into Canada south of Val Marie, Sask.
RCMP say two 19-year-old men are facing multiple weapons charges after they were discovered crossing into and out of the United States illegally south of Val Marie, Sask., allegedly smuggling guns.
Regina
-
Two charged after alleged smuggling of illegal guns into Canada south of Val Marie, Sask.
RCMP say two 19-year-old men are facing multiple weapons charges after they were discovered crossing into and out of the United States illegally south of Val Marie, Sask., allegedly smuggling guns.
-
Regina woman charged in death of infant makes first court appearance
The woman charged in the death of a three-month-old boy made her first appearance at Regina provincial court Monday.
-
Sask. teen who allegedly set classmate on fire scheduled to plea next month
A teen girl who allegedly set her classmate on fire is set to make a plea at Saskatoon Provincial Court next month.
Toronto
-
SIU probing death of woman who fell from Toronto apartment building
The province’s police watchdog is investigating the death of a 44-year-old woman who investigators say fell while attempting to scale down a Toronto apartment building early Monday morning.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING Toronto staff propose 6.9 per cent tax bump, including city building levy
City of Toronto staff are proposing a property tax increase of 5.4 per cent in the latest city budget.
-
QEW crash leaves 9-year-old boy dead, driver seriously injured
A nine-year-old boy is dead following a single-vehicle rollover on the Queen Elizabeth Way in Oakville on Monday, Ontario Provincial Police say.
Montreal
-
Bishop's students allege teacher uses degrading terms, university doing nothing
Students at Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Que., say they're shocked and appalled by the school's apparent lack of action over a teacher they allege has been using derogatory language in her classroom for years.
-
Quebec Liberal Party leadership race officially begins
The Quebec Liberal Party leadership race is officially getting underway.
-
Uncashed cheques from Quebec or Canada? Here's how to get your money
Taxpayers' money may be sitting in Revenu Quebec or Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) coffers and it’s simple to find. Both agencies have online tools to recoup unclaimed property or cheques.
Atlantic
-
Woman killed by husband in Mahone Bay, N.S., described as well-loved, funny, loving
Family members of a 60-year-old Nova Scotia woman killed by her partner say she was an "effortlessly funny" person who could also be lovingly honest and direct.
-
Girl, 6, dies following house fire in Lower Sackville, N.S.
A six-year-old girl has died following a house fire in Lower Sackville, N.S., over the weekend, according to an online fundraiser for her family.
-
N.S. man charged with murder in fatal Centreville fire; woman's death suspected intimate partner violence
A man has been charged with second-degree murder following a suspicious fire and death in Centreville, N.S., early Saturday morning.
Winnipeg
-
'He was a genius': Family remembers man who died waiting for care in Winnipeg ER
The sister of a man who died waiting for care in the emergency department of Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre (HSC) is remembering her late brother as an intelligent person with a bold personality
-
High-risk offender back behind bars
A high-risk offender, who was recently released from jail, is back behind bars.
-
The rare comet that may become visible in Manitoba this week
A rare comet is expected to light up the sky this week, though it’s still unknown if it will be visible here on earth.
Ottawa
-
Four youths arrested after teenager stabbed during altercation inside Hillcrest High School
Two people were seriously injured during an altercation at an Ottawa high school on Monday morning. Ottawa police say four youths are in custody.
-
Ottawa driver's Jaguar SUV held for months during dispute between tow truck company, insurance provider
An Ottawa driver is speaking out after her vehicle was towed from a crash scene in early November and held for months during a dispute between a local tow truck company and insurance provider.
-
No injuries reported after OC Transpo bus collides with street light Sunday
An OC Transpo bus slipped off the road and collided with a street light near a home in Ottawa's east end on Sunday morning.
Northern Ontario
-
Huntsville school bus erupts into flames en route to school
Kids were evacuated from bus moments before it went up in flames.
-
Female pedestrian, 26, killed in Naughton area crash in Greater Sudbury
Greater Sudbury police are investigating after a 26-year-old female pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle in the Naughton area Monday morning.
-
Lone sailor trapped in ice sparks concern in Southern Georgian Bay
A lone sailor living on a sailboat trapped in the Georgian Bay ice has sparked concern among Penetanguishene residents.
Barrie
-
Huntsville school bus erupts into flames en route to school
Kids were evacuated from bus moments before it went up in flames.
-
Inmate assault charge stayed against man accused in Elnaz Hajtamiri murder case
Mohamad Lilo, the Montreal-area man scheduled for trial in the alleged kidnapping and murder of his former girlfriend, had his jail assault charge stayed by the Crown during a virtual court appearance Monday.
-
Firefighters use defensive attack in intense house fire
Barrie firefighters are on the scene of an intense structure fire on Jones Drive.
Kitchener
-
OHL's Brantford Bulldogs sold to Zach Hyman and family
Effective Jan. 16, Hyman will officially assume control of the organization’s operations, ushering in a new chapter for the beloved hockey team.
-
Suspicious mattress fire causes 'significant smoke damage' in Guelph
Just before 7 p.m., police were asked to assist the fire department at an apartment near Waterloo Avenue and Beechwood Avenue.
-
Grand River Transit celebrates 25 years of connecting Waterloo Region
Established on January 1, 2000, following the merger of Cambridge Transit and Kitchener Transit, GRT has become a cornerstone of the community, connecting people in the region.
London
-
Armed robbery leads to charges for London man
Around 1:50 p.m. on Sunday, police say a man went into a grocery store in the 1500-block of Adelaide Street North and placed a number of items inside a bag and left the store without paying.
-
Flurries and cold temperatures in store for this week
The wind chill continues to be a factor, making it feel like minus 13 by Monday afternoon.
-
Municipality makes last ditch appeal to overturn Sauble Beach decision
The Town of South Bruce Peninsula is making one final push to try and win back the shoreline of Sauble Beach.
Windsor
-
Windsor approves $20M Festival Plaza redesign, construction timeline uncertain
Windsor city council has approved a $20-million master plan to redevelop Festival Plaza — but construction isn’t starting just yet.
-
Fatal crash being investigated in Windsor
Just after midnight on Monday, officers were called to the scene at the intersection of Wyandotte Street East and Raymo Road for a single-vehicle collisions.
-
Murder suspect rearrested in Windsor
The Windsor and LaSalle police rearrested a 24-year-old woman who was previously charged with first-degree murder.
