A text message brought help to a 20-year-old Osoyoos man who had been kidnapped.
On Monday afternoon a male suspect entered an unlocked door of a residence in the 3900 block of Highway 3, just east of Osoyoos, confronting two male occupants. RCMP said after some discussion took place between the three men, the suspect produced a can of bear spray and forced one of the residents into his own vehicle which then departed westbound on Highway 3.
“The 20-year-old victim was able to contact his mother by text message advising he had been kidnapped, and a few moments later another short message reading simply the word ‘help,’” said Cpl. Mike Field.
Police said the distraught mother, who was in the Kelowna area at the time, contacted the Kelowna Operational Communications Centre advising of the message received from her son and relayed a description of the vehicle and licence plate.
At approximately 4 p.m., the blue 1999 Ford Ranger pickup was located by a member of the South Okanagan Traffic Services and pulled over on Highway 3 near Cawston. The 49-year-old Vancouver male suspect was taken into custody without incident and the victim was located unharmed in the vehicle.
RCMP said the suspect is known to the victim and the incident is believed to be related to a failed business deal. The suspect, who RCMP are not identifying at this time, remained in custody pending Tuesday’s appearance in Penticton court. He faces charges of break and enter, forcible confinement, theft over $5,000 and possession of a weapon.
The matter is still under investigation by the RCMP.