(Screenshot of the Bolo campaign to locate Savang Sychantha // via Youtube)(Screenshot of the Bolo campaign to locate Savang Sychantha // via Youtube)
Chatham

OPP launches new initiative to find murder suspect (VIDEO)

The Ontario Provincial Police are launching a new public awareness campaign as they continue to track down an accused killer connected to a murder case with ties to both Chatham-Kent and Essex County.

The investigation started in April 2002, when 18-year-old Riad Baroud's body was found in a woodlot off of Vasik Line near Highway 401 in Chatham-Kent. A police investigation later revealed that Savang (Lay) Sychantha of Laos and an accomplice allegedly kidnapped Baroud in Windsor before the teen was bound, restrained, and beaten to death.

Police said Sychantha fled to Laos after the murder, but officers now believe he may be living in Vancouver, Toronto, or Montreal under an assumed identity. Sychantha is still wanted for first-degree murder and there is a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

In order to find Sychantha, OPP have teamed up with the Bolo Program, which is short for Be On the Lookout. The program uses social media as well as posters and public awareness campaigns to spread the word about wanted criminals.

Speaking at a news conference at OPP West Region Headquarters in London on Wednesday, Bolo Program spokesperson Maxime Langlois said the goal is to encourage citizens to submit tips to police so they can track down Canada's Most Wanted criminals.

"Simply put, we make sure Canadians are given the opportunity to see these notices, and we do that by reaching Canadians at the right time, at the right place, and using the right innovative means," said Langlois, adding that the program is completely funded by a charitable organization [Stephan Crétier Foundation], so the service does not cost police anything. "We take the information, re-package it, and boost it to unprecedented levels using all relevant means and channels."

Langlois said before the OPP teamed up with the Bolo Program, the Canadian public safety innovation project was conducting a pilot project with the Toronto Police Service. He said the plan is now to expand the program's activities to additional Canadian regions and police services.

You can find more information about the specific case involving Savang Sychantha by watching the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvfWLrNEM8k

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