A $250,000 reward is being offered for the arrest of a man wanted in connection with the killing of a referee at a soccer game in North York last fall.
The Bolo Program along with Toronto police released an updated list on Monday of the top 25 most wanted individuals in the country.
Launched on May 1, 2018 by the Stéphan Crétier Foundation, the Bolo Program uses technology and communication channels to spread awareness about Canada’s most wanted fugitives. The program also works with Crime Stoppers to get tips and provide awards anonymously.
On Monday morning, officials held a news conference at Yonge-Dundas square with eerie life-size cutouts of the fugitives scattered in the area. Each cutout is the same height and weight as the wanted suspects.
“It may have felt uncomfortable walking through the life-size cutouts of these most wanted individuals and it should. These 25 individuals are wanted for crimes that have taken lives, altered lives and left trauma that will outlive us all,” Toronto police Chief Myron Demkiw said.
Cristian Cuxum, 19, tops the list and is wanted following the brazen murder of 49-year-old referee Edwin Farley Alvarado Quintero during a soccer game at La Liga sports complex in North York on Oct. 9, 2022. Two others were injured in the shooting and sustained life-altering injuries.
“To the man who took Edwin’s life: You destroyed us. You destroyed our family. You destroyed our plans. Our dreams. Our sense of safety. Our everything. You cannot make that right. But if you turn yourself in, you will allow us to take our next step forward in this nightmare. Maybe then, one day, we can answer the questions that haunt us each day,” Edwin’s wife Alexandra Barrera said at the news conference.
The Bolo Program is offering $250,000 for information that leads to Cuxum’s arrest. The reward is only available until Nov. 30, 2023.
“It could not have been easy, especially on a day that was meant to be a celebration of everyone’s birthday. I truly hope that through today’s Bolo event we are able to apprehend the man responsible and give your family some sense of closure,” Demkiw said.
“As with all our rewards, this reward will be paid if the information you provide leads to the arrest of Mr. Cuxum, period. There are no other conditions. A potential conviction in court has nothing to do with the reward being paid,” Bolo Director Max Langlois said.
Other Toronto fugitives on the list include:
- Kiarash Parzham, wanted for the 2022 murder of Kian Hoseyni (reward up to $50,000)
- Jabreel Elmi, wanted for the 2021 murder of Thane Murray (reward up to $50,000)
- Rajahden Angus Campbell, also wanted for the 2021 murder of Thane Murray
- Kamar Cunningham, wanted for firearms trafficking
- Phillip Grant, wanted for the 2022 murders of Minyali Wur and Chudier Reat
“Today is a good day to turn yourself in. You have evaded arrest so far, but you can’t look over your shoulder every minute of every day. And the loyalty of your friends and associates will get tested today. Just do the right thing. Call a lawyer, call the police, make arrangements to turn yourself in,” Langlois said.
Since 2018, the Bolo Program has offered approximately $2 million in rewards and about a quarter of that amount has been paid out. Langlois said the outstanding money is still in active rewards.
“If a case is featured in a Bolo campaign, we are not looking for evidence. We are not looking for witnesses to testify in court. We just need that one tip that leads us to the suspect. And thanks to the guaranteed anonymity provided by Crimestoppers, we don’t even need to know who’s giving us the information,” Demkiw said.
Anyone with information about any of the wanted suspects are being asked to contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
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