A warrant has been issued for one of the men charged in connection to the Pearson Airport gold heist after he failed to appear in court.
Prasath Paramalingam, 35, is charged with one count of accessory after the fact for his alleged role in helping Durante King-McLean escape. King-McLean is the alleged wheel man who drove a white truck loaded with more than $22.5 million in gold from the Air Canada cargo facility in April 2023.
Both men also face more serious charges in the U.S. in connection with an alleged firearms smuggling operation.
According to grand jury documents, Pennsylvania State Police pulled over King-McLean in Franklin County after they say he committed several traffic offences. They allege 65 firearms destined for Canada were found in his vehicle. He remains in custody in the U.S. awaiting trial.
Paramalingam is accused of helping King-McLean illegally enter the U.S., traffic the firearms, secure money for the scheme and arrange an Airbnb in Florida.
Durante King-McLean, who was arrested on Sept. 2, 2023, by Pennsylvania State Police, has pleaded not guilty to six firearms-related charges. Peel police allege he drove away from Pearson airport in a white cube van full of gold bars and foreign currency in April 2023. (Peel Regional Police)
A family member who did not want to be identified for safety reasons told CBC News he had not seen Paramalingam since May. He said Peel Police showed up at his home that same month and asked if he knew where the suspect was. The family member said he asked police, “Don’t you know?””
The family member said that if he could talk to Paramalingam, he would tell him to turn himself in.
The family member also said police visited around August because the suspect failed once again to appear in court.
Peel police confirmed to CBC News that the bench warrant is open. A police spokesperson said they would “rather not get into some of the tactics and procedures” police use to locate individuals wanted on a bench warrant to preserve the integrity of the process.
“Whenever a person is wanted it remains on the work flow/tasks of the officer in charge and constant follow-ups are made with the known information we have,” the police spokesperson told CBC News.
“This can include canvassing any known acquaintances, surveillance efforts, etc.”
Two other suspects wanted on Canada-wide warrants
Two other suspects, Simran Preet Panesar and Arsalan Chaudhary, who are wanted on Canada-wide warrants, are still at large, according to Peel police.
Simran Preet Panesar is seen in a warrant notice for his arrest (Peel Regional Police)
In June CBC News was in contact with Simran Preet Panesar, who appeared to be trying to launch an entertainment career in India. At the time, Toronto lawyer Greg Lafontaine said he was representing Panesar and was in contact with Canadian authorities.
Five other suspects have been charged for their alleged roles in the gold heist.
No trial date has been set for the case; lawyers for the accused are still waiting on more disclosure.
In an email, the Ministry of the Attorney General declined to answer questions about the case, saying it would be inappropriate to comment because the matter is before the courts.