Found Alive Canada - Wanzhen Lu, 22, Kidnapped, Markham, Ontario, 24 Mar 2019

DNA Solves
DNA Solves
DNA Solves

New Posts

What we know about apparent 'armed kidnapping' of Wanzhen Lu | CBC News
rbbm.
"Here's what we know and don't know about the case:

What we know
Lu was returning with a female friend to his condo at 15 Water Walk Dr., in the area of Highway 7 and Birchmount Road, shortly before 6 p.m. ET on Saturday when the van appeared behind him. Pattenden has said Lu and his friend may have been walking towards the elevators of the garage.
Three men, with hoods pulled tightly around their faces, got out of a black Dodge Caravan in the garage. Pattenden has said it was believed the van was already in the garage when Lu and his friend appeared."

"One man, armed with a conductive energy weapon commonly called a Taser, ran up to Lu.

There was a struggle, Lu resisted and the man shocked him a number of times with the Taser. Police will not say how many times. Lu was "dragged" into the van. Police will not comment on the extent of his injuries."

A local resident said the garage is said to be three levels and serves two buildings in the condo complex."

What we don't know

Police have said they don't know the motive.

They have not said whether a ransom has been demanded or whether those behind the abduction have made contact with Lu's family.

"Police have also not said whether it was or wasn't a targeted incident."

"Police have also not said whether Lu's disappearance is connected in any way with a ransom scam in which fraudsters have tried to get money from the families of young, vulnerable international students from China who are living in Canada — a scam that has targeted students in Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and Calgary."
alleged-kidnapping-condo-complex.jpg

Lu was taken from the underground parking garage of this condo complex. (CBC)

 
otto said:
The Canada Goose coat worn by one of the suspects is $800. Given that they are kidnapping someone, I'm guessing that everything they own is stolen.
Click to expand...

Otto, just curious as to why you think they're clothing is stolen?

What is the connection between being a kidnapper and wearing stolen clothing?
 
Last edited:
Hoping that the police get leads that identify where this vehicle has been and who has been driving it- perhaps a neighbor of theirs who have noticed the unique sticker on it, will contact the tip line?

Maybe it has shown up on a cctv cam - anything that will help find this young student and get him back safely!
 
dyannaON said:
This seems to be happening more in Toronto. Wonder why Toronto? I’m in Waterloo and we have two universities with students on study visas. (If that’s the case here)
Click to expand...
Toronto has many universities with students on study visas. UofT St.George, UofT Scarborough, UofT Mississauga, York University Keele, York Univeristy Glendon, Ryerson University. Not to mention numerous colleges: George Brown College, Centennial College, Seneca College.
 
Feeling badly for the victim's parents who are probably experiencing a very long and stressful flight to Canada. imo. rbbm.
Vehicle used in Markham kidnapping has been recovered: police
“We just have no sign of Mr. Lu at this time,” Pattenden said.

He said forensic officers will be poring over the vehicle to collect any evidence that may be inside the minivan.

Pattenden said he does not believe investigators or family members have had any contact with the kidnappers and no ransom request has been made.

“This entire case is odd,” Pattenden said. “This type of thing just does not happen in York Region.”

Investigators believe the attack was “targeted” but are still trying to determine a motive for the abduction.

The 22-year-old, who also goes by the name Peter, is currently living in Canada to study but police would not confirm what school he is attending.

Lu’s family is on their way to Canada from China and are “very concerned” about his wellbeing, Pattenden added."
 
Let's hope there's some DNA in that van, even some perspiration with DNA.

These perpetrators likely have criminal records - this seemed so professional - at least to me.

Thankfully, the young woman who was with Mr. Lu was not physically injured, considering how well prepared these perps were. I can't imagine the trauma she experienced. I hope that she received counselling for the trauma right away.
 
Last edited:
zencompass said:
Let's hope there's some DNA in that van, even some perspiration with DNA.

These perpetrators likely have criminal records - this seemed so professional - at least to me.

Thankfully, the young woman who was with Mr. Lu was not physically injured, considering how well prepared these perps were. I can't imagine the trauma she experienced. I hope that she received counselling for the trauma right away.
Click to expand...
Horrifying for her! You would think they would take the woman as well, but she was one of the lucky ones and left behind! That just shows they were only concerned about kidnapping the foreign male, for whatever reason, and did not want anyone else to deal with. Plus they had full masks and black garb on. They seem like they are experienced and 'professional' in the way they went about this.
 
Rbbm.
No ransom demand or known motive in violent Toronto-area kidnapping of wealthy student from China
"The black van — modified for wheelchair accessibility — was found in Toronto Sunday night, Pattenden said. The licence plate CEAR350, which was on the van at the time of the attack, was no longer attached and remains missing. The plate had been stolen in Peel Region earlier this month.

The kidnappers have not made any contact or ransom demands that police are aware of and the motive is unknown, said Pattenden.

"What police do know, he said, is Lu is likely in danger."
Wu is a Chinese citizen and is in Canada as a student. He showed flamboyant signs of wealth.

At the time of his kidnapping, he was wearing a Gucci Guccify red wolf’s head hoodie, which was listed for more than $2,000 online. He arrived in a Range Rover but neighbours said he also drives even fancier cars, including a Rolls Royce and a Lamborghini sports car."

"Police have been in contact with officials at the Chinese consulate. Family representatives — Pattenden was unsure of the precise relationships — are en route to Canada to meet with police."

"As police forensic officers search the van for clues, Pattenden asked the public to shift their attention to the photos of the suspects.

“Why him?” Pattenden asked.

“We want to know why. So if there is anyone who knows Mr. Lu and has not come forward yet with any information on why he may be the target, we’d definitely love to speak with you.”
 
dotr said:
This pic shows one of the perp's faces just a bit more than the other pics.
Un étudiant chinois kidnappé dans un stationnement souterrain

Lu is shown in this photo (below) on the day he was abducted.
Wondering if there was a special occasion of some type because the other person in the photo is holding flowers and possibly wearing a robe?
speculation, imo.
York police search for 22-year-old man kidnapped in Markham parking garage | The Star
Click to expand...

The suspect in that photo appears to have a distinctive flat nose. One of the other suspects appears to be pretty thin and the Under Armour jacket he was wearing is rather distinctive as I've not been able to find one like it online. Not to mention the blue sweats and Nike running shoes. Someone, or several people, know who these men are, I'm sure of it.

It's possible that these 4 abductors have been in the presence of WL, perhaps often, in order for them to have made him a target, unless this was a kidnapping for hire. Perhaps one or more of them were also students in the same school as WL was attending. I hope WL's classmates are providing solid clues to LE about people who may have been hanging around the school recently. It is close to exam time for most Toronto Universities so classes may have wrapped up for the year. Don't know why LE are reluctant to tell us what school WL was attending. Perhaps it wasn't one of the larger Universities?

The photos of the day this happened appear to be some type of graduation for the female friend. Who knew they would be back at the condo so early? Was the van already in the garage? How did they know where he usually parked as the garage has 2 levels. How did they get in without a garage opener? Did they follow them in? Did they follow someone else in earlier and if so, how long were they laying in wait? We know that LE know this information from security camera footage.

And of course the other questions about the things we're hearing. The license plate was stolen from Peel Region earlier in the month. What is the connection to Peel? How would men from Peel Region know WL? Or is that just random and the suspects are familiar with him from the Markham or Toronto area and they chose to take the plate from Peel. Where in Toronto was the van dumped? East end, west end? Who owned the van, LE never indicated that it was stolen. Why were none of the high end vehicles taken? They could have easily taken the Land Rover as they had the owner and therefore likely the keys. Why was the female friend left alone?

This is a strange case. On the one hand these guys look like amateurs and it almost looks like a set up. One the other hand, LE keep focusing on the violence of the abduction so any hope of that seems unlikely.

MOO
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

DNASolves

Who is DeKalb County John Doe (2022)?

Members online

... and 170 more.
Total: 1,883 (members: 171, guests: 1,712)

Online statistics

Members online
171
Guests online
1,712
Total visitors
1,883
Totals may include hidden visitors.

Forum statistics

Threads
601,959
Messages
18,132,523
Members
231,196
Latest member
pacobasal
Back
Top