Martin C. Barry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Two 80-plus seniors found dead in Sainte-Dorothée

The Laval Police have opened an investigation file after a man and a woman, both in their 80s, were found dead in their Sainte-Dorothée home last week.

The LPD responded to the home on Maisonneuve St. after an acquaintance expressed concern about not hearing from them.

The LPD’s crimes against the person unit found the two and concluded they were lifeless. The police were unable to immediately state whether the deaths were related to criminal activity.

LPD seek help identifying armed theft suspect

Investigators with the Laval Police are looking for help from members of the public in order to help identify a suspect in an armed robbery at a Laval retail store.

Last Feb. 14, the male suspect entered a big box hardware store in Chomedey where he attempted to steal an item.

When leaving the store, he sprayed an employee with pepper spray after the employee tried to stop the suspect. Although the suspect fled, he left behind the item he meant to steal.

Description of the suspect :

• Black male, mid-20s in age;
• Height: 5’8’’;
• Was wearing a black coat, a blue hoodie, dark pants, blue shoes with white soles, and a Nike backpack.

Anyone who thinks they may have useful information is asked to call the LPD’s Info-Police line at 450-662-INFO (4636), or 9-1-1. The file number is LVL-240214-084.

Suspect to be charged following death of real estate agent in Armand Frappier Woods

A 20-year-old male suspect is being charged with first-degree murder after a 46-year-old woman who was a real estate agent was attacked in the Armand Frapppier Woods in eastern Chomedey on the night of Wednesday May 29.

The victim, identified as Irina Draghicescu Iankulov, was an agent with Groupe Sutton Excellence for the past 15 years, according to news sources.

On Wednesday evening last week, a caller to 9-1-1 reported reported the presence of a seriously injured woman in the woods, which are popular among walkers and hikers.

LPD officers who found the victim attempted to revive her, but she was declared dead at the scene.

Police located and ended up arresting the suspect, said to be a resident of Laval, while he was reportedly attempting to break into an apartment not far from there.

LPD arrest alleged sexual offender, search on for other victims

The Laval Police say that a man they recently arrested for sexual assault may have had other victims.

They are urging anyone who believes they might also have been victimized to file a criminal complaint.

The suspect, Jayden Distexhe, age 27, was arrested in relation to the alleged sexual assault of a man in Chomedey on May 8.

According to an LPD press release, Distexhe is homeless, but was known to regularly frequent certain places in Chomedey.

“Investigators have reason to believe that he may have had other victims, and we would like to make contact with them,” stated the release.

Distexhe is facing one charge of sexual assault and remains in custody. He is due back in court on June 18.

Anyone with information is asked to call the LPD’s confidential info-crime phone line at 450-662-4636.

Laval’s Palais de Justice among Quebec courthouses to get security upgrades

The Palais de Justice on Saint-Martin Blvd. in Laval is one of several courthouses across the province that will see their security systems upgraded thanks to a $31 million investment the Quebec government has announced.

According to details disclosed by Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette and Public Security Minister François Bonnardel, $23.4 million will be spent to train and hire more special constables, while $7.6 million will go towards modernizing security equipment.

Apart from the Palais de Justice in Laval, courthouses in Longueuil, Saint-Jérôme, Quebec City, Joliette, Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Chicoutimi, Sherbrooke and Gatineau will also received security improvements.

The action is being taken after a knife attack in January that seriously injured an interpreter at the Longueuil courthouse, as well as an assault incident involving a youth protection worker at the Sherbrooke courthouse.

The deployment of the new equipment, which includes courthouse entrance security arches, is scheduled to take place beginning this month until September 2025.