York police arrest 5th man in frying pan attack on missing woman Elnaz Hajtamiri

A fifth man has been chargedin connection with a 2021 attack on Elnaz Hajtamiri in Richmond Hill, York Regional Police say.

Hajtamiri, 37, remains missing after being abducted from a relative's home in Wasaga Beach, Ont., on Jan. 12, 2022. There isa $100,000 reward available to anyone who can help locate her.

The latest arrest announced Tuesday is in connection witha separate incident, in whichHajtamiri was allegedly beaten with a frying pan in an underground parking garage in Richmond Hill on Dec. 20, 2021. She was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries at the time.

Four people have previously beenarrested in connection with the incident, with the latest arrest of a fourth man coming last month.

Akash Rana, 25, of Delta, B.C. was charged on March 1 with aggravated assault and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, York police said.

He is due to appear in Newmarket court Thursday.

Police have said Hajtamiri was forcibly taken from ahome by three masked men dressed in fake police gear in January 2022. Authoritiesrecently released images of some potential suspects.

Hajtamiri hasn't been heard from since, though her family has expressed hope she's still alive.

MohamadLilo, Hajtamiri's ex-boyfriend, has been charged with kidnappingin connection with her disappearance.