Kelowna RCMP are investigating a kidnapping where the victim was taken from the Lower Mainland in what they say was a move to “exert pressure on an associate.”

On Sept. 28, around 11:30 p.m., Kelowna RCMP were called to the area of Sands Court and Gibbs Road East for suspicious circumstances. 

When officers arrived, they found a person who had allegedly been kidnapped in the Lower Mainland and held against their will at a residence nearby. The victim had been taken to Kelowna by people unknown to the victim. 

The victim, who is not believed to be involved in criminal activity, may be friends with someone the kidnappers wanted to pressure. 

The Kelowna RCMP Serious Crime Unit has taken over the investigation and is working with various police agencies in the Lower Mainland to understand what transpired and why the victim was kidnapped.

According to police, this is considered a target incident with no risk to the public. 

RCMP were able to acquire a search warrant for the residence the victim said they were held at. The search resulted in one man being taken into custody and later released pending further investigation. 

“This investigation remains in its early stages and investigators continue to work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the victim’s allegations,” says Staff Sgt. Tim Russell of Kelowna RCMP Investigative Services. 

“We are asking anyone who may have seen the vehicle described in this release, or who has dash camera or surveillance footage, to contact police.”

Evidence gathered points to a newer-model white Dodge Ram Rebel pickup truck being involved. It was seen in the area between midnight and 2 a.m. on Sept. 28.

RCMP is asking that anyone that witnessed the truck in the area or has dash cam footage of the pickup truck, contact the Kelowna RCMP Serious Crime Unit at 250-470-6236 and reference file 2026-63566.