Police are looking to the public for help solving an abduction case from September.
Jeffrey Lee, 33, was last seen by his girlfriend on Sept. 23 around 10 p.m. when he left her home, an apartment in downtown Vancouver. He was heading to the Oakridge neighbourhood to go gambling.
It's believed he arrived in the area and parked his vehicle, a black BMW X5, near West 41 Avenue and Elizabeth Street, according to a press release from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD).
He then went into a nearby building to meet with friends; surveillance video released by police show him entering an Oakridge highrise and getting into an elevator at 10:15 p.m. Video shows he left around 4 a.m. on Sept. 24.
Investigators believe he was taken as he was getting back to his vehicle.
“The black BMW was located the next day with the driver-side door wide open, and we believe whoever kidnapped Mr. Lee did so as he was getting in his vehicle,” says Sgt. Steve Addison. “Although we’ve gathered a significant amount of evidence during the past four weeks and feel we are close to solving this case, there are still people with information who need to come forward.”
Police are still trying to determine the reasons for the kidnapping, and where Lee is.
“We believe Jeffrey Lee was abducted by force and taken to an unknown location,” says Sgt. Addison. “We don’t know exactly why he was kidnapped, but we know there are people out there who have information."
In a press conference Addison wouldn't comment on whether Lee had gang connections or if a ransom had been demanded.
Lee was wearing a dark Hugo Boss hoodie, black shorts, and flip-flops in the surveillance video. He was carrying a grey shoulder bag, as well. At the time he had short black hair and some facial stubble.
Anyone who has any information about Lee's disappearance is asked to call the VPD's major crimes unit at 1-604-717-2541.
