York Regional Police are revealing more details about a violent kidnapping in a condominium's underground parking garage in Markham, Saturday evening.
Wanzhen Lu, 22, remains missing after he was tasered several times and thrown into a waiting minivan that fled the scene
Police say Lu, a Chinese National student in Toronto, and his female friend had just returned home to 15 Water Walk Drive, near Highway 7 and Birchmount, and had parked their car.
"They exited the vehicle and were walking towards the elevators to go upstairs - I'm assuming," Const. Andy Pattenden told reporters Sunday morning. "That's when they were approached by all of the men [in the Caravan] and that's when the confrontation began."
According to Pattenden, there were four men in total - including the driver.
Video surveilance footage of the incident obtained by police showed the victim was trying to resist, but was tasered several times before being forced into the minivan.
"There was a significant level of violence involved in this kidnapping," says Pattenden. "He was taken 100 per cent against his will, [and] shocked a number of times with that conductive energy weapon."
The van, believed to be a 2008 to 2010 model year black Dodge Caravan, displayed what Pattenden says is a stolen Ontario license plate CEAR350 on the back. There was no plate on the front. It's also wheelchair accessible and has unique markings and stickers on it.
The female friend with Lu was left behind and was unharmed after the van sped off. She managed to call for help right away but Pattenden admits she is traumatized by the incident.
"She contacted security as soon as it happened," he said. "[She] has been very helpful with us, providing information, especially right to our first officers who responded right here yesterday."
The four men wanted in the kidnapping are described as follows:
Suspect 1: Male, wearing a mask, blue pants and black jacket
Suspect 2: Male, dark skin, 6’1”, wearing a black Canada Goose jacket.
Suspect 3: Male, dark skin, 6’2”, with a heavier build, wearing dark blue jeans with a black jacket.
Suspect 4: (No photo available) male, wearing a Green and yellow jacket with a hood.
Police say they don't know of a motive for the kidnapping and are extremely concerned for Lu's wellbeing.
If you spot the suspects or the suspect vehicle, do not approach them and call 911 immediately.
Anyone with information is asked to contact York Regional Police #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541.
- With files from Claude Feig, Jackie Rosen and CP24