A 25-year-old Surrey man wanted in connection to the “vicious” assault of an autistic man in Mississauga, Ont., has a criminal history that includes being arrested for allegedly concealing 53 baggies of drugs in his rectum.
Ronjot Dhami, now wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for aggravated assault, was arrested in Kelowna during a traffic stop in June 2014.
Court documents indicate that Dhami was a passenger in a Mercedes SUV that was pulled over by police. The officer noticed that Dhami was rubbing his hands together and there was a glob of lotion on his chin, as well as a jar of lotion in the vehicle.
The officer suspected, after having busted another man in a similar situation a month prior, that Dhami had concealed drugs.
Dhami was taken to jail, and the following afternoon he was discovered poking feces-covered packages down the holes of the floor drain in his cell, according to the court documents.
Police seized seven packages of heroin, 23 bags of crack cocaine and 23 bags of fentanyl.
Dhami was acquitted of all charges in January 2017 after he won a court challenge saying that his arrest was unlawful.
The judge ruled that the presence of lotion in the vehicle and on Dhami’s chin was not enough evidence for the officer to conclude that he had concealed drugs in his rectum.
The 53 baggies of drugs were excluded as evidence, resulting in Dhami’s acquittal on all charges.
Dhami was also among seven people arrested in Grande Prairie, Alta. in November 2016 after police searched four homes and found three guns and more than $40,000 in drugs and cash.
Dhami was charged with two counts of drug possession and one count of possession of the proceeds of crime. The case is still making its way through the courts.
Peel Regional Police in Ontario announced on Tuesday that Dhami, who was last known to reside in Surrey, is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant in relation to an assault that happened at the Square One bus terminal in Mississauga on March 13 at about 10:45 p.m.
WATCH: Police provide a video of the assault
Note: Footage may be disturbing to some viewers.
See also: Suspect in attack on autistic man in Ontario could be from B.C.’s south coast: police
The 29-year-old victim was sitting at the bottom of the stairs of the terminal’s lower level when three men approached.
The suspects surrounded him and “continued to punch and kick the male multiple times” before fleeing.
The man was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
After the attack, police released images of three men, at least one believed to be from the Lower Mainland.
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| Parmvir Singh Chahil (Police handout) |
As a result of “overwhelming” tips from the public, investigators identified Dhami as one of the suspects.
On Wednesday, Peel Police identified a second suspect in the attack, 21-year-old Parmvir Singh Chahil of no fixed address. Chahil is also wanted on a Canada-wide arrest warrant for one count of aggravated assault.
Chahil has strong connections to Abbotsford and was believed to have been the target of a 2015 drive-by shooting in that city, which left an innocent man named Ping Shun Ao dead.
Court records indicate that Chahil was charged with uttering threats and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose related to an incident in July 2015.
Abbotsford Police confirmed after Ao’s shooting that Chahil had been charged after police received a 911 call alleging that Chahil had flashed a knife at another person.
The case later resulted a few months later in a peace bond (restraining order) being issued against him for a year.
Dhami also has a criminal record, including two drug-related arrests.
The third suspect in the attack on the autistic man has not yet been identified, but police believe he may go by the first name Jason.
Police say all three suspects may still be in the Greater Toronto Area and are “being encouraged to call a lawyer and surrender to police.”
Anyone who sees any of the suspects is asked to call police immediately.
Police caution the public to not approach the men, as they are considered “extremely dangerous.”
Investigators are still appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact 12 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at 905-453-2121, extension 1233.
Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting peelpolice.ca.
