Kidnapping case: 4 suspects charged after victim taken from vehicle at gunpoint, Vancouver police say
Four people have been charged in what Vancouver police describe as a kidnapping case that also involved armed home invasions.
Officers said the kidnapping occurred in September. In a news release Thursday they said four people took the victim from a vehicle at gunpoint in nearby Richmond.
They did not provide many details on what is alleged to have happened, but said the victim was restrained and assaulted, and was left with "significant" but non-life-threatening injuries.
Officers did not disclose a possible motive in the case, but said the victim was rescued by Vancouver police in Richmond. The suspects were taken into custody "following a brief pursuit," police said.
And they added that the group was already under investigation when the incident in Richmond occurred.
"In August, Vancouver Police Property Crime detectives initiated a project into a group that was believed to be responsible for a series of armed home invasions and residential break-and-enters through Metro Vancouver," Const. Tania Visintin said in a statement announcing the charges.
But she told CTV News the victim was not connected to the August investigation.
Four people have been charged with kidnapping, forcible confinement, assault causing bodily harm and using a firearm in the commission of an offence.
One of the suspects has not been named, with police citing a court-imposed publication ban. The others are Ashley Smith and Michael Husain, both 30, and Harman Parmar, age 24.
The three named suspects remain in police custody. None of the charges has been proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.