BURST
A man is facing 14 charges including kidnapping and sexual assault with a weapon after police linked a suspect to incidents last month in three Lower Mainland communities.
In the early afternoon of Jan. 18, Ridge Meadows RCMP were called about a woman being held against her will in a car by a man who “was reportedly armed and exhibiting threatening behaviour,” said the B.C. RCMP in a news release Thursday.
The woman and a man were located in the north end of Pitt Meadows and a suspect was taken into custody.
Working with police across Metro Vancouver, investigators identified two similar incidents days earlier, in Surrey on Jan. 15 and West Vancouver on Jan. 16.
Ridge Meadows RCMP worked with the West Vancouver Police Department and the Surrey Police Service and each gave reports to the B.C. Prosecution Service to consider charges.
Prosecutors have since approved the following charges against 28-year-old Amritpal Singh:
- Three counts of kidnapping
- Two counts of uttering threats
- Three counts of mischief in relation to computer and telephone data and text messages
- Sexual assault with a weapon
- Assault with a weapon
- Assault
- Two counts of using an imitation gun while committing an offence
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
“Investigators believe that Mr. Singh identified victims through an online platform and allegedly used it to solicit or offer employment opportunities,” said an RCMP spokesperson.
“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, commander of the Pitt Meadows RCMP detachment.
“Today more than ever, investigations cross municipal borders and police agencies work closely together to share information to ensure offenders can’t hide just because they cross a road or a bridge,” said Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton of the Surrey Police Service.
“We believe there may be additional witnesses who have not yet spoken with police,” said Suzanne Birch, a spokeswoman for the West Vancouver police. “We urge anyone who received communication from Amritpal (Amar/Aman) Singh, even if they did not engage with him, to contact their local police department.”
Related
If you or somebody you know has experienced sexual assault, help and support is available. Local organizations supporting victims and survivors of sexual assault include the Surrey Women’s Centre (604-589-1868), Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre (604-255-6344), 24-Hour Rape Crisis Line (604-872-8212) and B.C. Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse (604-682-6482).