British Columbia

Men arrested in homicide-related New Westminster takedown face multiple charges

The three men arrested in a dramatic takedown in New Westminster earlier this week, that police have connected to a double homicide in Vancouver, have been identified and charged.

Takedown connected to a Vancouver homicide, but no murder charges have been laid

Vancouver police outside an East Vancouver home, Sept.17, 2016, following reports of a kidnapping. (Doug Kerr/CBC)

The three men arrested in a dramatic takedown in New Westminster earlier this week, that police have connected to a double homicide in Vancouver, have been identified and charged.

Charged with kidnapping without the use of a firearm, unlawful confinement or imprisonment, extortion and aggravated assault are Shamil Ali, Harinam Cox and Gopal Figueredo.

Vancouver police were called to a home in East Vancouver on September 17 after a report of a kidnapping. When they arrived at the scene, they found the dead bodies of Samantha Le, 29, and Xuan Vanvy Bacao, 24, along with evidence a third person had been abducted. 

The kidnap victim was rescued on September 19 in New Westminster at the same time Ali, Cox and Figueredo were arrested.

The three accused will appear in court, Sept. 23.