EDMONTON – Two Edmonton men are facing a number of charges, including kidnapping and robbery, after a police chase involving officers from Edmonton, Calgary, and Red Deer on Sunday.
The Calgary Police Service informed the Edmonton Police Service about an alleged abduction that happened in Edmonton at about 6 p.m. Sunday.
The male victim says he met two people who told him they were interested in buying his vehicle at a West Edmonton parking lot. An ad for the vehicle had been posted on a website.
Police say the man was forced into his vehicle – under death threats – and was driven to Calgary.
His alleged abductors picked up a third accomplice.
The victim says he was then forced into the trunk. However, he says he was able to escape from the trunk and run away before contacting Calgary police.
Calgary police found the vehicle and began a pursuit north on Highway 2. The suspect vehicle was eventually stopped by a spike belt and the suspects were arrested by Red Deer RCMP.
Two Edmonton men are in custody facing charges that include kidnapping, robbery, uttering threats, weapons offences and numerous breaches of recognizance.
“He was forced into the vehicle at knife-point, hence the weapons-related offences,” explained EPS Spokesperson Scott Pattison.
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Police say the victim was somehow able to use the inside latch to open the trunk and escape. While he wasn’t injured, officers say the young man has clearly been affected by the incident.
“Needless to say, it was quite a harrowing experience for a young man that had no previous knowledge of what was about to take place,” said Pattison. “When police were interviewing him, he was pretty shaken up.”
“There was a lot at stake in this one,” he added. “We’re not sure whether the victim … what sort of fate he would have met with, but clearly, he was dealing with some bad guys who were known to police.”
Police are still looking for the third suspect.
Now, officials are repeating a warning to the public about online safety.
“Lots of people sell things online and purchase things online, but a number of times this year we have seen people become victims of crime – often at the end of some serious violence – and this was certainly one of those cases,” said Pattison.
“So, if you’re going to go…meet someone, take someone with you, go inside of a very busy area. Apparently they met in a parking lot and the location was changed, and that’s another tip we want to talk about.”
“Often, one of the MOs of people that are trying to take advantage of other people for criminal means, is they’ll change the location at the last minute.”
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