Enki
Active member
Suspect charged in bingo hall death
Police seek info on 3 other suspects
Man attacked for $1,000 winnings
Apr. 29, 2006. 01:00 AM
TRACY HUFFMAN AND RAJU MUDHAR
STAFF REPORTERS
Three weeks after a man was robbed of his $1,000 jackpot and fatally beaten outside a north-end bingo hall, police have arrested one of four women allegedly involved in the attack.
Ann Marie Thomas of Mississauga turned herself in to 31 Division last evening after police issued an arrest warrant for the woman, a regular customer at Finch Bingo Country ? on Finch Ave. W. near Islington Ave.
Thomas, 30, was being sought in the death of 58-year-old Yousif Youkhana; she was to appear in Old City Hall court today at 10 a.m. on a charge of manslaughter.
Youkhana left around 10 p.m. on April 7 after collecting $1,000 in winnings.
Four women approached the Brampton man as he was walking to his car and demanded the money. When he refused, he was kicked and punched repeatedly. Youkhana managed to make his way back inside the bingo hall, but he did not survive his injuries.
Ryan said police were told all four suspects were regulars at the hall, but few witnesses have stepped up, hampering the investigation.
He added that police don't believe the women intended to kill Youkhana.
Since the attack, Lucy Szinegh, general manager of Finch Bingo Country, has been improving security at the hall. "We have put more lights in the hall and there's a whole bunch of new lighting outside..." she said. "What happened ... could have happened anywhere in Toronto. It was outside of our building. It wasn't an issue inside of our building.
"But we are trying to make things better to make everyone feel safe."
Ryan is hopeful the arrest of one suspect will lead to information about the other suspects.
Police seek info on 3 other suspects
Man attacked for $1,000 winnings
Apr. 29, 2006. 01:00 AM
TRACY HUFFMAN AND RAJU MUDHAR
STAFF REPORTERS
Three weeks after a man was robbed of his $1,000 jackpot and fatally beaten outside a north-end bingo hall, police have arrested one of four women allegedly involved in the attack.
Ann Marie Thomas of Mississauga turned herself in to 31 Division last evening after police issued an arrest warrant for the woman, a regular customer at Finch Bingo Country ? on Finch Ave. W. near Islington Ave.
Thomas, 30, was being sought in the death of 58-year-old Yousif Youkhana; she was to appear in Old City Hall court today at 10 a.m. on a charge of manslaughter.
Youkhana left around 10 p.m. on April 7 after collecting $1,000 in winnings.
Four women approached the Brampton man as he was walking to his car and demanded the money. When he refused, he was kicked and punched repeatedly. Youkhana managed to make his way back inside the bingo hall, but he did not survive his injuries.
Ryan said police were told all four suspects were regulars at the hall, but few witnesses have stepped up, hampering the investigation.
He added that police don't believe the women intended to kill Youkhana.
Since the attack, Lucy Szinegh, general manager of Finch Bingo Country, has been improving security at the hall. "We have put more lights in the hall and there's a whole bunch of new lighting outside..." she said. "What happened ... could have happened anywhere in Toronto. It was outside of our building. It wasn't an issue inside of our building.
"But we are trying to make things better to make everyone feel safe."
Ryan is hopeful the arrest of one suspect will lead to information about the other suspects.
