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If the crime you are reporting is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
If the crime you are reporting is not an emergency, you can call the non-emergency line at 604-525-5411 or attend our Front Counter at 555 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC.
New Westminster – In the early morning hours of August 17th New Westminster Police Department officers received credible information that a New Westminster resident had been kidnapped. The New Westminster Police Department Major Crime Unit took conduct of the investigation, receiving extensive support from internal specialty units and numerous police agencies throughout the region including: the RCMP, Vancouver Police Department, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit, and the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team. Within 24 hours the victim was located and transported to hospital for medical care.
Detectives are now asking witnesses to come forward who may have seen suspicious activity in the 500 block of Front Street in the evening of August 16th. If you saw anything suspicious from that evening and you haven’t spoken to police about what you saw you can call the Major Crime Unit at 604-529-2430 or send an email to mcucrimetips@nwpolice.org.
Two suspects have been arrested and charged. 38 year old Richard Favel has been charged with the following:
Uttering threats contrary to secion 264.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
Assault with a weapon contrary to section 267(a) of the Criminal Code
Assault section 266 of the Criminal Code of Canada
45 year old Jess Heerema of Vancouver has been charged with the following:
Uttering threats contrary to secion 264.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
Assault with a weapon contrary to section 267(a) of the Criminal Code
“We were deeply worried about this person’s safety,” stated Sergeant Andrew Leaver, “Time is of the essence in kidnapping investigations, and thanks to the hard work and expertise of numerous police teams, we were able to find the victim and arrest the suspects.”
“These types of investigations require significant staffing and financial resourcing in very short time frames,” stated Acting Chief Constable Paul Hyland, “I’m very proud of the great work by our investigators and support staff, and also very appreciative of the remarkable support we received from our policing partners.”
Both suspects remain in custody as investigators continue gathering evidence which may lead to further charges. Anyone with information about this incident are asked to contact the Major Crime Unit by calling 604-529-2430, or email at mcucrimetips@nwpolice.org.
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CONTACT PERSON: Sergeant Andrew Leaver
EMAIL: communications@nwpolice.org
