2 arrested following dramatic police incident in Delta and Langley

Photo: Glacier Media

Two men remain in custody after a multi-jurisdiction arrest Wednesday involving Delta Police and Langley RCMP.

According to a news release from Delta Police, just before noon on Dec. 7, officers were dispatched to the area of Highway 17 and Ladner Trunk Road for a report of a distraught person.

“Upon arrival, officers learned that a 21-year-old woman had been assaulted, robbed of her money, and forcibly confined in a U-Haul van,” said Acting Insp. James Sandberg in a news release.

“She had escaped from the vehicle near Highway 17 and Ladner Trunk Road.  Officers also learned that another woman was forcibly confined in the van. It was determined early in the investigation that all of the occupants knew each other.”

Sandberg said officers took immediate action to locate the other remaining victim who was in the U-Haul van and allegedly being forcibly confined by a male and female suspect. This included notifying other police agencies in surrounding jurisdictions. The investigation resulted in the Langley RCMP locating the van in the Aldergrove area and arresting two occupants. The second victim was located unharmed.

Sandberg said the investigation is ongoing and a report to Crown Counsel has been submitted recommending several charges, including forcible confinement and assault.

“The two suspects arrested have not yet made a court appearance. They remain in custody, awaiting their first appearance,” he said. “The identities of the suspects will not be released until charges have been approved by the Crown.

“The Delta Police Department wishes to thank our partners from the Langley RCMP, the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, and Air 1, for their assistance in locating the second victim and arresting the suspects in this investigation.”