Suspect charged with kidnapping as police search for missing woman from York Region

Changlin Yang has been charged with kidnapping, forcible confinement and aggravated assault in connection with the July 25 disappearance of Ying Zhang. (York Regional Police)

Police north of Toronto have charged a suspect with kidnapping as the search continues for a woman who investigators say went missing under “suspicious circumstances.”

Ying Zhang was last seen at approximately 10:40 a.m. on July 25 near Woodbine Avenue and Steelcase Road, just north of Steeles Aveue East, in Markham, according to York Regional Police (YRP).

The 57-year-old Markham resident is described by police as five-foot-seven with a medium build and straight, shoulder-length, black and grey hair.

Police said that she was last seen wearing blue scrubs and a jade bracelet on her left hand at the time and hasn’t been seen since.

CTV News Toronto has since learned that Zhang worked at a wellness centre at a commercial plaza in that area where she went missing. Her family reported her missing that evening when she didn't return home from work.

Const. James Dickson told CTV News Toronto that police aren’t sure at this point if she is alive or deceased.

“There is indication from the scene that she was a victim of an assault and we are concerned for her wellbeing as she has not received medical treatment. There could be serious consequences,” he said.

On Monday, York Regional Police (YRP) announced that 26-year-old East Gwillimbury, Ont. resident Changlin Yang has been charged with kidnapping, forcible confinement, and aggravated assault in connection with Zhang’s disappearance.

Images of a suspect vehicle, a white Ford van with licence plate BZ43851, have also been released.

“A white Ford van was seen in the area and a suspect was seen with a large green wheeled bin near the van at the time of Zhang’s disappearance. There is information that the suspect vehicle travelled to the Village of Kirkfield, in the City of Kawartha Lakes, on the afternoon of July 25,” YRP said in a news release issued Monday.

Dickson said police haven’t confirmed any relationship between Zhang and the accused at this time, but they do believe the incident was targeted.

As well, while Yang is in custody, police aren’t ruling out that other suspects may be involved, he said.

Investigators spent the day canvassing for witnesses and information.

Anyone with information aboutZhang's disappearance is asked to contact YRP's homicide unit at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7865, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.

With files from CTV News Toronto's Mike Walker