Man charged in connection with the shooting of an innocent victim in Schomberg last year is wanted by police after allegedly cutting off his surveillance device.

York Regional Police say they do not know the whereabouts of Ronald Mortaya-Cruz, 43, who is charged with two counts of participating in the activities of a criminal organization.

According to investigators, Mortaya-Cruz is a member of the Mara Salvatrucha street gang, hired by an organized crime group in February 2023 to kill a man.

Police say the group targeted the wrong person, shooting a 65-year-old man who was taking his dog for a morning walk. The victim survived.

Police executed search warrants at several locations months later, leading to the arrest of eight peopleincluding Mortaya-Cruz.

The 43-year-old was later released on bail and subject to conditions, including wearing a GPS monitoring device. In a news release issued Thursday, police said investigators learned Mortaya-Cruz removed the device in May.

He was last seen near Keele Street and Grandravine Drive in Toronto.

“All avenues of investigation have been exhausted and his whereabouts remain unknown,” police said.

Mortaya-Cruz is now wanted on three counts of failing to comply with a release order. Police said he was considered armed and dangerous.

The 43-year-old, also known as Azul, is five feet nine inches tall with a heavy build, short black hair, a long black or gray beard and brown eyes. He has tattoos on his right hand, forearms and the left side of his neck.

Police said Mortaya-Cruz had ties to the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts can contact investigators at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 6970 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).