EDMONTON – The Edmonton Police Service has charged two men with numerous offences in connection with a weekend kidnapping and extortion attempt.
At approximately 6 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, a group of about five, armed men allegedly broke into a north Edmonton home, assaulted a male resident, and sexually assaulted a female resident.
It is alleged that the male victim was forcibly taken from the home, while one of the accused stayed behind with the female resident.
A short time later, police say they were contacted by the female victim, who had been able to escape with her young child.
Police converged on an address and arrested one of the suspects. Further investigation led police to a second suspect in the city’s west end, where he was arrested. The victim was then rescued from a home in north Edmonton and taken to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
“I can say that the victims have suffered a lot of trauma, both physically and emotionally,” says EPS Robbery Detective Ron Gamble.
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Gamble said the male victim was severely beaten, but said he is now back home with his family. The young child was not injured.
Twenty-three year-old Agouk Gugu Dang has been charged with kidnapping with a firearm for ransom, unlawful confinement, assault with a weapon, possession of a loaded prohibited weapon, housebreaking, and committing aggravated assault, sexual assault with a firearm, breach of order of probation and breach of recognizance.
Twenty-two year-old Michael Andres Salvador-Bejarno has been charged with kidnapping with a firearm for ransom.
“The motive was definitely money,” added Gamble, “there was a ransom demand .”
“The victims are unknown to the individuals,” he says. “At this point in time in the investigation, we can’t determine if it is random or if it is targeted.”
“The two men who have been charged are known to police, as a matter of fact. They both had warrants for their arrest.”
Investigators are still looking for three other suspects, who police describe as black males. Investigators believe they may have used a white cube van during the alleged kidnapping.
Police are also looking for the public’s help in locating a four-door, black luxury sedan, possibly a BMW or Audi, which was also used during the alleged crime.
“These individuals are armed and very dangerous,” stresses Gamble.
Anyone who has information about this crime is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com/start.htm.
A publication ban has been placed on any information that could identify the victims.
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