Calgary man charged in kidnapping of woman in May

Calgary police say one man is facing charges and an investigation continues after a woman was kidnapped from outside her work and held in a northwest Airbnb for several days back in May.

Investigators say just after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, a woman was going to her vehicle in the parking outside her work in Calgary’s southeast when a man she didn’t know approached her and forced her into a vehicle.

The woman’s family was told she had been taken and police were called out of concern for her well-being, police explain.

Investigators say the victim was taken to an Airbnb rental at 6 Citadel Estates Heights NW where she was held for several days.

Anyone with information about the happenings around the home during the time of the alleged abduction is asked to contact police.

The owners of the home weren’t involved in the incident, according to investigators, and have been co-operative.

Just before 4 a.m. on Thursday, May 4, police say the woman was released on a rural road east of the city, and was physically unharmed.

Police say further details about the kidnapping or the investigative steps leading to her recovery won’t be released to the public.

They explain targeted kidnappings are often connected to organized crime and police believe this is such an incident.

Investigators believe several people from the Calgary area “conspired to commit this act of violence.”

“Violent events and organized crime activity have no place in our city. This activity puts friends, families, neighbourhoods and innocent bystanders in harm’s way,” Staff Sgt. Roland Stewart said in a statement. “Our dedicated investigators will get to the bottom of these incidents and will hold people accountable.”

On Monday, Calgary police charged 23-year-old Raejean Charles Sydey Hudson with one count of kidnapping.

As the investigation continues, police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 403-266-1234 or anonymously through CrimeStoppers.