Man charged in alleged plot to kidnap Montreal lotto winners

Police in Montreal have charged a man with allegedly plotting to kidnap and kill a Montreal couple who recently won millions in the lottery.

Investigators allege that Edwin Mata Lima, 18, targeted Zenovij Pacholuk and his wife Dolores Coffey, who won $27 million last month.

Mata Lima, who is originally from Mexico, was arraigned Tuesday on conspiracy charges involving murder, extortion and kidnapping.

"We arrested him as quickly as possible when we had all the information," Montreal police spokesman Olivier Lapointe said.

Police were tipped off about the alleged plan last week and followed a man as he attempted to procure weapons. They asked the couple over the weekend to leave their house until the suspect could be arrested.

Loto-Quebec and the two new millionaires refused to comment.

Investigators allege the couple were tracked down through the phone book and the plan was to force them to withdraw as much as $10 million.