Lethbridge Police station. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Man reportedly kidnapped in Lethbridge Sunday night

Oct 21, 2019 | 1:27 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Lethbridge Police are investigating a reported kidnapping on the north side.

In the McDonald’s parking lot on 444 Mayor Magrath Drive North, a man was in his vehicle and was approached by another vehicle.

A suspect, unknown to the victim, got into the victim’s vehicle, brandished a large machete, and forced the victim to drive to various locations in Lethbridge while the suspect remained inside with him.

“The victim was forced to drive to a bank ATM where he was forced to withdraw cash from his own account, and also drive to the Supervised Consumption Site where the suspect spoke with a person who has been identified and not yet located or spoken to by investigators,” reads a media release from Lethbridge Police Service. “The suspect then forced the victim to drive out to the Blood Reserve where the victim was let out of the vehicle and the suspect stole the victim’s vehicle leaving the victim on the side of the road.”

As the victim was flagging a passerby for a ride back into Lethbridge, the suspect returned to the area in the victim’s vehicle and chased the victim and the passerby.

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The victim and passerby phoned 911 as they drove away.

Officers from multiple police agencies responded and intercepted the victim’s vehicle, which was being driven at a high speed on the Blood Reserve.

“After the pursuit, the victim’s vehicle was located abandoned in Fort MacLeod and the whereabouts of the suspect is unknown at this time.”

The victim suffered minor injuries but did not need medical attention.

The suspect is described as being an Aboriginal man in his late 20’s with a thin build.

At the same time as the kidnapping, police also investigated a weapons complaint involving a machete in the 2100 block of 5th Ave North. It is possible that the two incidents might be related, but police cannot confirm that at this time.

LNN is expecting to learn more about the situation this afternoon.