Police make arrests in Duncan murder case

THUNDER BAY -- Three people have been charged with killing Justin Duncan, nearly two years after the 23-year-old Ottawa man had been last seen.

Thunder Bay police on Thursday announced that three Ottawa men are in custody on murder charges while a fourth has an outstanding nationwide warrant, a breakthrough in what they described as a lengthy, multi-jurisdictional investigation.

Jonathan Ranger, Noel Perez and Emrah Ahmeti - all from Ottawa - have each been charged with first degree murder. A Canada-wide arrest warrant has been issued for Muhamed Alhasi, a 28-year-old Ottawa man, who is also charged with first degree murder.

Duncan had been last seen in the area of the Limbrick Street housing complex during the early morning hours of Nov. 22, 2016. Police released surveillance footage that showed at least six people that investigators had said they believed to be involved or knew what happened.

Investigators had said Duncan was known to have been involved in criminal activity in both Thunder Bay and Ottawa and was a member of a gang they referred to as the Ottawa crew, though it was not known whether that was directly tied to his disappearance.

In March 2017, police confirmed they were investigating Duncan's disappearance as a homicide and had conducted a ground search in the Fort William First Nation area.

In the Thursday announcement, police said the investigation also received support from the Anishinabek Police Service as well as members of the RCMP and Winnipeg Police Service.

The 35-year-old Ranger had been previously arrested in Thunder Bay in January 2017 on an outstanding Ottawa homicide warrant. He appeared in court on Thursday morning and remains in custody. The 22-year-old Perez and 22-year-old Ahmeti are expected to appear in court on Friday.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing as they seek information about the location of Duncan's remains.