RICHMOND — Police in Richmond, B.C., say they're looking for witnesses after an alleged attempted kidnapping involving a vehicle that was later found on fire.
RCMP say a female victim reported Monday that she was at a sports facility located along No. 3 Road, near the intersection with Browngate Road, when three men approached her.
They say she told officers that one of the men was allegedly wearing an item marked "police" and carrying a portable radio.
The Mounties say the victim told them a struggle ensued, but she was able to break free, and the suspects left the area in a black Jeep Cherokee with an Alberta licence plate.
At about 10 p.m. on Monday, police say the vehicle was found on fire on the other side of the city, along Vulcan Way.
The statement from RCMP says the evidence suggests the alleged attempted kidnapping was targeted.
The Mounties are looking for dash-camera footage and witnesses, including two people who were walking in the area at the time.
The first witness is described Asian, wearing a black jacket, blue shirt, white pants, white running shoes and carrying a white and black umbrella.
The second potential witness was wearing a grey jacket and pants, white running shoes, black glasses and carrying a pink purse.
Insp. Michael Cohee, officer-in-charge of the detachment's investigative services, notes that police are aware of information related to the incident circulating on social media.
"We recognize the alarming nature of this incident and want to assure the public our investigators are working diligently to identify the individuals involved," Cohee says in the statement.
"If you are ever approached by someone indicating they are a plainclothes police officer, it is OK to ask for identification to verify their claims."
Police are also looking for anyone who was in the area of the 4300 block of No. 3 Road between 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday.
They're further looking for anyone who was in the area where the burned Jeep was found, around the 13000 block of Vulcan Way, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. as well as between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 1, 2025.
The Canadian Press
