Police are on the hunt after a Calgary resident searching for a taxi says he was abducted, beaten, robbed and threatened last weekend.
The incident occurred in the early morning hours Nov. 20. Kyle, who requested his last name not be used, thought he had found a taxi van at 17th Avenue and 4th Street SW to take him home after a night of drinking with friends.
“When I got in I was grabbed from behind,” the 28-year-old recalled. “They threw me down and started beating me. I knew I was in trouble.”
Kyle said he was driven around for about 90 minutes as the captors repeatedly struck him, held a knife to his throat, withdrew money from his bank account and even made off with his shoes before dumping him in an alley.
Police Staff Sgt. Joel Matthews said their investigation has yielded nothing to indicate the van was posing as a cab; however, he reminded Calgarians that all licensed taxis are well-marked and drivers will be carrying photo ID.
Calgary police Chief Rick Hanson issued a warning for partygoers during the upcoming holiday season.
“If (friends) have over-consumed and need to get home, make sure you do more than just throw them in a cab or give them a bus ticket,” he said. “Obviously these are serious predators and we’re going to be on the hunt for them now.”
Kyle left with a broken nose and badly bruised cheekbone, said he is struggling to cope with the ordeal.
“I am out-of-nowhere emotional sometimes,” he said. “That’s bugging me, I’m so upset.”
