In an alarming twist, two fires at Thai restaurants in Winnipeg have raised fears of a sinister protection racket targeting immigrant-owned businesses. What began as seemingly random vandalism has now escalated into a daunting reality for local restaurant owners.

Earlier this month, Thida’s Thai Restaurant was broken into, appearing at first to be just another case of neighborhood mischief. However, the situation took a darker turn last Friday when Mae Sunee Thai Cuisine was devastated by a suspected arson attack.

Jay Delaney, married to Mae Sunee’s owner, Praphatsorn Inthon, recounted eerie security footage from the Donald Street restaurant. "It was odd. Why would they break in, then just try to set fire to a booth?" he questioned.

Delaney shared that the family has heard from various sources that similar attacks are increasingly common, particularly among immigrant-owned stores in Winnipeg's inner city.

The security videos from both restaurants show perpetrators attempting to ignite Molotov cocktails in the dead of night. One disturbing clip captures a masked man smashing glass with a hammer before setting a booth on fire. Quick response from police prevented that blaze from spreading.

However, the story at Mae Sunee is one of loss; the restaurant suffered extensive water damage from firefighting efforts, leading Delaney to declare it a total loss.

Delaney noted that the incidents remind him of organized crime movies, with local business owners receiving chilling threats demanding protection money. "We’ve even received recordings of these individuals saying, 'You have 24 hours,'" he revealed.

A terrifying account from Ur’s Convenience Store echoed this narrative. Owner Ajay reported two men entering his store, demanding payment for protection. After refusing to comply, he quickly called the police, only to find his business caught in flames hours later. Thankfully, a neighbor extinguished the fire before it could cause significant damage.

A so-called "hit list" uncovered by Delaney has added another layer of concern, naming businesses facing threats. This list, which includes Ur’s and other local establishments, indicates a troubling pattern. "Our list noted that all targeted businesses needed to be ‘hit’ by the end of the month," Delaney said.

Delaney has shared details with police, including the potential suspects believed to be operating from Montreal. While police confirmed they are investigating these break-ins and arsons, they haven’t disclosed the extent of the incidents or potential links.

In response to escalating safety concerns, police urge anyone facing threats to report them immediately. Delaney expressed frustration over the slow pace of action but remains hopeful that the police are taking these incidents seriously.

With the community on edge, the question remains: how many more immigrant-owned businesses will be affected before action is taken?