Police are looking for a man they say is connected to a botched murder-for-hire hit last year in Schomberg.
York Regional Police launched Project Rebellion, an investigation into an attempted murder, in June 2023.
Police determined members of Mara Salvatrucha, the gang commonly known as MS-13, were hired by an organized crime group to kill a man in February of that year. However, the suspects targeted and shot the wrong person. The victim survived and is continuing to recover, police said in a news release.
Between May 18 and June 1, 2023, search warrants were executed at locations in Toronto, leading to charges being laid against eight people.
Ronald Mortaya-Cruz, 43, was charged with two counts of participation in activities of a criminal organization. He was released on bail with conditions that included the requirement to wear a GPS monitoring device. On May 11, 2024, police learned Mortaya-Cruz removed his GPS monitoring device. He was last seen in the area of Keele Street and Grandravine Drive in Toronto.
A warrant has been issued for his arrest for three counts of failing to comply with a release order.
“All investigative avenues have been exhausted and his whereabouts remain unknown,” police said.
He is considered armed and dangerous.
Mortaya-Cruz, a.k.a. Azul, is described as standing five-foot-nine, with a heavy build, short black hair, a long black/grey beard, and brown eyes. He has tattoos on his right hand, both forearms and the left side of his neck. He has connections to the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton.
Anyone with information is asked to call the York Regional Police Organized Crime Enforcement Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6970. Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or 1800222tips.com.
