The Canadian Press
MARKHAM, Ont.–Police say they’ve made an arrest related to the abduction of a Chinese national studying in the Toronto area but have not found the missing man.
York regional police said they’ve arrested a 35-year-old Toronto man who they believe is involved in the alleged kidnapping of Wanzhen Lu from a parking garage in Markham over the weekend.
They say they arrested the man but have not yet charged him.
Police say the 22-year-old Lu was walking with his friend toward the elevator after parking his car at his condominium when a wheelchair accessible minivan came up behind him.
Investigators say three men jumped out, grabbed Lu, shocked him multiple times with a stun gun, and dragged him into the van before speeding off.
Police are urging the suspects to release Lu unharmed and turn themselves into police.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact police or call 9-1-1.
Police found the van allegedly used in the violent kidnapping, investigators said yesterday.
The vehicle was found somewhere in Toronto on Sunday night thanks to tips from the public, said Cst. Andy Pattenden of York regional police.
He said police still are extremely worried about Lu’s safety.
Investigators have said a stun gun was used several times on the young man before he was forced into the van that took him away.
“We know that this incident involved a significant level of violence in that underground parking lot in Markham,” Pattenden said.
“He was shocked and forced into that van that we’ve now recovered,” he noted.
“But we don’t know where Mr. Lu is.”
Lu, who also goes by the name “Peter” and is studying at a school in Toronto, entered the parking garage of his condo building in a Range Rover, Pattenden said.
He and a female friend who had been in the vehicle with him were walking toward an elevator in the garage at around 6 p.m. on Saturday when they were ambushed.
Pattenden said the friend wasn’t taken, leading officers to believe Lu was targeted.
Police are looking for four suspects–a driver and three others who forced Lu into the vehicle.
