By Canadian Press

Toronto man arrested in Chinese student’s abduction, no sign of missing man

Mar 26, 2019 | 2:59 PM

A Toronto man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the alleged abduction of a Chinese student, as police said they were closing in on suspects.

A massive manhunt remained underway with police working around the clock to find Wanzhen Lu, 22, who was violently taken from an underground parking garage in Markham, Ont., on Saturday. The incident was captured on surveillance cameras. 

Const. Andy Pattenden with York Regional Police said a 35-year-old the man was arrested in the early hours Tuesday, but has yet to be charged. Police said they remained “very concerned” about the well-being of Lu, who also goes by the name Peter.

“Let me make this message very clear to the suspects that are still out there: It’s time to release Mr. Lu unharmed and time to seek legal counsel and turn yourself in,” Pattenden said.

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Police said Lu was walking with his friend toward the elevator after parking his car at his condominium around 6 p.m. when a black wheelchair-accessible minivan came up behind him.

Investigators say three men jumped out of the van while the driver remained behind the wheel, grabbed Lu, shocked him multiple times with a stun gun and dragged him into the van before speeding off.

Lu’s friend, a young woman, was not injured in the incident, but was traumatized at what police have called a “brazen” and “violent” attack.

Investigators so far have been baffled as to why this has occurred, Pattenden said. They’ve heard nothing from the suspects, including ransom or any other demands. Nor do they have a motive.

Those are questions that can be answered once they find Lu in good health, he said.

Police found the van Sunday at an undisclosed location in Toronto after a tip from the public.

“Our forensic identification unit has been poring through that van to gather evidence,” Pattenden said.

Lu’s parents have arrived from China, he said, and are “traumatized” by their son’s abduction.

Pattenden would not say whether the man they’ve arrested is one of the four suspects they are seeking. Security images released show three men wearing winter jackets with their hoods wrapped tight to their faces.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact York Regional Police or call 911.

Liam Casey, The Canadian Press