Indian-Origin Man Charged with 14 Offences in Metro Vancouver Kidnapping Cases
A 28-year-old Indian-origin man, Amritpal Singh, has been formally charged with 14 serious offences following a series of alleged kidnappings across Metro Vancouver, Canada. Police authorities have linked Singh to three separate incidents that occurred over a span of just four days in January, involving the kidnapping of three women in Pitt Meadows, Surrey, and West Vancouver.
Details of the Charges and Incidents
According to police reports, Singh faces a comprehensive list of charges, including three counts of kidnapping, three charges related to the misuse of computer, text, and phone data, two counts of making threats, and two charges of using a fake firearm while committing a crime. Additionally, he has been charged with assault, assault with a weapon, sexual assault with a weapon, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
The incidents are reported to have taken place between January 15 and January 18, 2024. Singh was arrested on January 18 after the last alleged kidnapping in Pitt Meadows. At approximately 12:40 AM that day, Ridge Meadows RCMP received a report that a woman was being held against her will in a vehicle. Officers were informed that the suspect was armed and displaying threatening behavior.
Police immediately launched an investigation and successfully located the woman and the male suspect in north Pitt Meadows. Upon arrival, law enforcement safely took Singh into custody. Subsequent investigations connected this case to two similar incidents in Surrey on January 15 and West Vancouver on January 16, leading to the approval of all 14 charges.
Investigation and Victim Targeting
Police have provided limited details regarding the relationship between Singh and the alleged victims. However, investigators believe that the women were lured through an online platform, where employment opportunities were allegedly solicited or offered. When questioned about whether Singh knew the women beforehand, authorities reiterated that they were targeted through these online employment schemes.
In a statement, the BC Prosecution Service confirmed that Singh has been detained by the court and is scheduled to appear in Port Coquitlam on March 9. The BCPS noted that, absent a successful bail review, Singh will remain in custody until the legal proceedings are concluded.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about online safety and criminal exploitation in the region. Police continue to investigate the full scope of the incidents, urging the public to remain vigilant when engaging with unknown individuals online.
