Toronto police hope a new 50-thousand dollar reward will help lead to the capture of a man who’s repeatedly violated his bail conditions after being convicted as part of a large firearms trafficking investigation.
At a press conference Tuesday at Toronto Police headquarters, Superintendent Steve Watts said 39-year-old Kamar Cunningham is a threat to public safety.
“We are urging every member of the community to be on the lookout for Mr. Cunningham. If you have any information about his whereabouts, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, we’re asking that you come forward,” Watts said.
Bolo Image of a wanted man, Kamar Cunningham for firearms trafficking. Photo credit: BOLO Program
Watts said Cunningham is affiliated with a well-established gang with national and international ties—the Five Point Generals, more commonly known as ‘5PG.’
He was arrested in 2018 as part of a crackdown on the smuggling of guns over the U.S. border. Police say it was part of the largest seizure of guns in Toronto’s history, and resulted in 75 arrests and more than one thousand charges.
Cunningham was found guilty in 2020 of several charges, including firearms trafficking, and possession of prohibited or restricted firearms.
“He has been released on bail three times, ” Watts said. “Each time, he has violated his release conditions before being arrested and released on bail again.”
In May of 2021 he was sentenced in absentia to nine years in custody.
“Not surprisingly,” Watts said. “He did not appear once again for a sentencing hearing.”
He is now wanted on a Canada-wide parole warrant. Toronto Police still believe he’s operating within the GTA community under an assumed identity. He’s described as six feet one inch tall and estimated to weigh 160 pounds. He has brown eyes, black hair, and a full-sleeve tattoo on his right arm.
Bolo Image of the full-sleeve tattoo on Kumar Cunningham's right arm. Photo credit: BOLO Program
He is also being featured in a new campaign by the Bolo program, which administers Canada’s most-wanted list.
Executive Director Maxine Lanois said his program usually helps police track suspects or people accused of crime, but says this case is special.
“He is a convicted criminal,” Lanois said. “We’re talking about someone who had repeatedly shown a disregard for the rule of law, who had broken his bail conditions time and again, who was convicted of trafficking firearms, and who, despite all this, was allowed to remain in the community.”
Lanois said Bolo will launch a “major amplification” campaign on Facebook and Instagram. “This digital campaign will be coupled with six billboards that will be pumping up across the GTA in cooperation with Toronto Crimestoppers. The Bolo program is now offering a reward of up to 50 thousand dollars for any information leading to the arrest of Mr. Cunningham.”
Lanois ended his statement with a message to Cunningham.
“You’re going to see the reward for your arrest plastered across social media. You’ll see your face on billboards. This will be uncomfortable for you. Stop looking over your shoulder. Stop worrying about who will call in the tip that will lead to your arrest. Do the right thing …and make arrangements to turn yourself in.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto Crime Stoppers.
Crimestoppers chair Sean Sportun said the tip line protects informants’ identities.
“Our anonymous phone line and web tips are supervised 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and in over 200 languages. The information you provide Crimestoppers will be immediately forwarded to the investigators assigned to this case.”
He said, if someone’s information leads to the arrest of Cunningham, they’ll be eligible for the cash reward.