Man facing 14 charges after 3 kidnappings in 4 days in Metro Vancouver

A 28-year-old man is facing 14 charges after a series of kidnappings in B.C.’s Lower Mainland last month.

Amritpal Singh has been charged with the following offences, which allegedly occurred in Pitt Meadows, West Vancouver and Surrey, according to a news release issued by the Ridge Meadows RCMP Thursday:

• three counts of kidnapping
• three counts of “mischief in relation to computer data, text messages and telephone data”
• two counts of uttering threats
• two counts of using an imitation firearm in the commission of an offence
• assault
• assault with a weapon
• sexual assault with a weapon
• possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose

The charges stem from three incidents that happened over four days in January. Singh was arrested after the last one, which happened on Jan. 18.

Around 12:40 a.m. that day, Ridge Meadows RCMP “received a report that a woman was allegedly being held against her will in a car,” according to the release.

The suspect, who police allege was Singh, was reportedly armed and “exhibiting threatening behaviour.”

“Police immediately pursued various investigational avenues and subsequently located the woman and male suspect in north Pitt Meadows,” the release reads. “Upon police arrival, the suspect was safely taken into custody.”

Working with partners elsewhere in the region, investigators connected the Pitt Meadows case to two similar incidents that had taken place in Surrey and West Vancouver on Jan. 15 and 16, according to Mounties.

The Ridge Meadows detachment, West Vancouver Police Department and Surrey Police Service all submitted reports to the B.C. Prosecution Service for charge assessment, resulting in the 14 charges against Singh.

Police shared little information about what relationship, if any, Singh had with his alleged victims, saying only that investigators believe he identified them “through an online platform and allegedly used it to solicit or offer employment opportunities.”

In an email to CTV News, Ridge Meadows RCMP confirmed that Singh remains in custody. They directed further questions about his upcoming court dates to the BCPS.

Asked whether police believe Singh knew his alleged victims before interacting with them online, the detachment reiterated that the women were “targeted through employment opportunities” on the platform.

Police also reminded the public to exercise caution when making arrangements to meet up with people they met online.

In a brief statement to CTV News, the BCPS confirmed that Singh had been “detained by the court” and was scheduled to make his next appearance in Port Coquitlam on March 9.

“Absent a successful bail review, Mr. Singh will remain in custody until the matter has concluded,” the BCPS said.

Mounties said their investigation remains “active and ongoing,” and encouraged anyone with information that could help advance it to contact their local police force.

“Our ability to work closely with our policing partners in the Lower Mainland is a strength and was essential to advancing this investigation,” said Staff Sgt. Michelle Luca, detachment commander for Pitt Meadows, in the release.

“Timely information sharing and effective co-ordination remain fundamental pillars of community safety.”