The hitman Frédérick Silva, one of the most wanted men in Quebec and Canada, was arrested by the Montreal police during the night on Saturday. He was the subject of intense police pursuit at all times.
Frédérick Silva
Accused
"The vise had been tightening for a long time. [...] We did not spare the energy, said, smiling, the inspector of the Communications Division André Durocher. Shortly after midnight, Saturday night, he was arrested outside, he offered no resistance. "
Given the dangerous nature of the suspect, it was the Tactical Response Group that arrested him in the Griffintown area of Montreal.
Silva was one of the 10 most wanted criminals in Quebec for a year and a half.
The impassive air, the hitman appeared Saturday at the Montreal courthouse by videoconference to be accused of the first degree murders of Daniel Armando Somoza-Gildea and Alessandro Vinci, attempted murder of Salvatore Scoppa and possession firearms.
His lawyer, Danièle Roy, said his case was postponed until Wednesday, so that the evidence accumulated against Silva, which must be voluminous, be handed to him.
As he is accused of murder, the 38-year-old is automatically detained.
Priority of the SPVM
The capture of Frédérick Silva, one of the 10 most wanted criminals in Quebec for a year and a half, had just been elevated to the top priorities of the SPVM, revealed at the beginning of the month The Journal and its Bureau investigation.
"This is good news for the people of Montreal, given the crimes for which Mr. Silva is suspected," said André Durocher.
The latter did not rule out the fact that Silva could be linked to other murders. Searches were conducted on Saturday, and the evidence gathered is being analyzed.
" One of the best "
"We look at all the possibilities. [...] It is not impossible that there are other [murders]. If we have other things, obviously there will be charges, "said the inspector.
According to information gathered by our Investigation Bureau and Le Journal, Silva may have executed up to a dozen murder contracts for organized crime, the majority of which in Quebec and some in Ontario, as shown the SPVM's investigation by analyzing the similarities in several homicide cases.
According to our information, Silva was filmed in action by a surveillance camera while firing towards Sébastien Beauchamps, a former member of the Rockers, a gang of bikers, the afternoon of December 20 last to Montreal. He faces no charges for this murder.
"This is one of the best criminals in recent years," a police source said of the 38-year-old, who allegedly used at least three fake identities and different looks to escape law enforcement.
Moreover, during his appearance, the hitman did not look at all like the picture released by the police, who had a beard and long hair.
Inspector Durocher highlighted the collaboration between the Police Department of the City of Montreal, the Sûreté du Québec and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to put the grapple on Silva.
ACCUSED FOR THESE THREE CRIMES
October 11, 2018, laval
Alessandro Vinci (inset), 31, worked as a manager at a car dealership in Laval before being killed by several projectiles.
May 24, 2017, Montreal
An argument between Daniel Armando Somoza Gildea, 28, and Frederick Silva, would have burst at the cabaret dancers Les Amazones in Montreal. Silva would have mortally hit his rival twice.
February 21, 2017, Terrebonne
Salvatore Scoppa (inset), an influential mafioso, escaped with an injury to his arm after being shot in the parking lot of a restaurant.