VANCOUVER

Five men suspected in Surrey assault charged, sixth on the loose

The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, December 16, 2015 5:11PM PST Last Updated Wednesday, December 16, 2015 5:15PM PST

Police are searching for Karnjit Randhawa, 27, who's among a group of men accused in an attack in Surrey earlier this month. Dec. 16, 2015. (Handout)

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SURREY, B.C. - Charges have been laid against five men who are accused of assaulting and holding a man against his will in Surrey, B.C.

RCMP say the victim is well known to police and is still recovering from the injuries he suffered earlier this month during the incident in the Newton area.

Mounties say 31-year-old Davjit Randhawa, 19-year-old Sukhdeep Dhaliwal, 20-year-old Chaten Dhindsa, 18-year-old Gurpreet Dhudwal and 28-year-old Ravinder Samra are facing charges that include forcible confinement, robbery and assault.

All five men have been released from custody on strict conditions, but the RCMP says it's still looking for 27-year-old Karnjit Randhawa.

Chief Supt. Bill Fordy of the Surrey RCMP says the arrests will make the city safer and officers will continue to aggressively pursue suspects associated with violent acts.

Public Safety Minister Mike Morris says in a statement that recent arrests have destabilized groups involved in targeted shootings and the low-level drug trade.