Peel police say they have located Brampton kidnapping victim

• UPDATE | CBC News has removed the identity of the woman in this story as well her image.

Peel police say a young woman allegedly kidnapped in Brampton on the weekend walked into a police station on Monday evening and she is safe, but her suspected kidnapper is still at large.

The 23-year-old woman walked into 22 Division at about 7:30 p.m., according to Const. Heather Cannon. She was seen by paramedics and has been taken to a local hospital for a problem unrelated to the kidnapping, she said.

"She was by herself. And she appeared to be in good health," Cannon told reporters outside Peel police headquarters.

Kwami Garwood, 21, the man who allegedly kidnapped her, has not been located.

"At this particular time, Kwami Garwood is still at large, still outstanding and we are continuing to search for him," Cannon said. "At this point, there is nothing to indicate where he is."

Police have spoken to the woman briefly, but have not yet conducted an "in-depth interview" with her and the investigation is ongoing, Cannon said.

Police say Garwood is considered armed and dangerous and is wanted on four outstanding warrants, including one for a first-degree murder charge in Toronto.

Police release video of car

Earlier on Monday, police released a video of a car that may have picked up the woman and Garwood early Sunday in a Toronto parking lot. Cannon said police still want to speak to the driver of the car.

Police say they believe the suspect and victim went by taxi from Brampton to Toronto after the alleged kidnapping.

Investigators believe the pair travelled to the area of Ruddington Drive and Bayview Avenue, north of Finch Avenue East, at about 4 a.m on Sunday. Police believe they then got into a red or orange car, a Kia Soul, in a nearby parking lot at 3230 Bayview Ave.

The surveillance video shows the red or orange car waiting, entering and circling the lot, and driving away. The movement of the car is captured on the 50-second video released on Monday.

"The vehicle may or may not be involved. However, investigators would like to speak with the driver of the vehicle," Peel police said in the release.

Const. Akhil Mooken, spokesperson for Peel Regional Police, said the driver may have been offering a ride-sharing service. Police would like to find out if he or she picked up Garwood and the woman and where they may have been dropped off.

"This is a continuing and active investigation and we are relying on members of the community to share whatever information they have with us," Mooken said. 

Three of the warrants for Garwood were issued by Toronto police, while one was issued by the Durham police, he added. One is for pointing a firearm, while another is for uttering threats, he said.

Police have said the suspect and victim know each other and are involved in a relationship.

According to Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, on Sunday, at about 3 a.m., police were called to a Brampton home on Adventura Road, near Mayfield Road and Mississauga Road, after police received reports of a woman screaming. Neighbours reportedly heard a disturbance.

The SIU is investigating because two Peel officers fired their weapons in the incident.

Officers who arrived at the scene forced their way into the home and followed the sounds of the screams, which led them to the garage. There, officers found a man in the driver's seat of a vehicle and a woman in the back seat.

The SIU said there was an "interaction" and two officers fired on the vehicle. While still in the vehicle, the man managed to flee from the garage with the woman still inside. 

Police do not know if Garwood was injured.

According to police, the woman was in the car unwillingly. The pair was last seen driving in a black Honda Civic, which was found unoccupied a short distance away. Police believe the pair hailed the taxi in Brampton "fairly close" to where the vehicle was found.

Supt. Sean Gormley, of Peel police 22 Division, said in the release that Garwood should surrender to police.

Police are urging anyone who sees the suspect to call 911 immediately.

Suspect wanted for shooting death in Scarborough

According to Toronto police, Garwood is also wanted for the death of Andre Charles, 43, of Toronto.

Around 1:40 p.m. on July 4, 2020, officers responded to a shooting in the area of Chester Le Boulevard and Morecambe Gate in northeast Toronto. They found Charles in a parking lot with gunshot wounds. A man, 21, and a boy, 16, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder.

A first degree murder warrant for Garwood's arrest was issued and he has been at large since then.