Three people are facing charges after a robbery and kidnapping in the Calgary community of Livingston last week. The incident unfolded just after midnight on Tuesday, Aug. 18. Police say the victim, a 31-year-old man, had parked in a lot in the 200 block of Lucas Boulevard N.W. and started walking his dog in the adjacent park when he was approached by a man who asked him if he had a light for his cigarette. “As he was reaching for it, the offender grabbed a hold of him,” said Staff Sgt. Keith Shufelt in an interview with CTV News. “Two more offenders emerged, forced the victim into the back part of his vehicle and then hopped into the vehicle and drove away.” Shufelt says the kidnappers drove for approximately 10 minutes before eventually allowing the victim to get out along Wagon Wheel Crescent near Balzac. The victim suffered minor injuries and was able to flag down a passing driver who called RCMP. Police say officers were able to track the stolen vehicle to the community of Rundle that same day. They observed it being driven out of Calgary at a high rate of speed, and with the assistance of HAWCS and RCMP, followed it to Innisfail, where the driver pulled into a parking lot. RCMP officers arrested a woman who had allegedly been driving, as well as two male passengers – and say there were two kids in the car at the time. “This was a dangerous situation, not only for the victim who was kidnapped but the children who were in the back of a speeding car,” Shufelt said. Tiera Sedentopf, 25, of Calgary is charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 and dangerous driving. Kyle Fraser, 31, of Calgary, is charged with six offences including kidnapping and robbery. Danny Sawa Sawa, 21, of Calgary is charged with kidnapping and robbery. There is a third suspect in the kidnapping that police are working to identify. “We were able to apprehend two of the three individuals that were specifically involved, and I have every belief that we should be able to apprehend the third as well,” Shufelt said. Community concern Shufelt says while he understands hearing about an event like this can be concerning for Calgarians, there isn’t any risk to the public. “I’m not going to say it was specifically targeted, but there is more to the story that we’re still finding out, and at this time I wouldn’t say that members of the public are in danger,” he said. Shufelt said the offenders are known to police. “We don’t have evidence that the victim and the offenders were known to each other. However, I would say that this was an intentional act,” he said. “This is a very rare event. We do not deal with this type of dynamic event often at all.” Shufelt says while the dog the victim was walking was missing for a period of time, it was OK in the end. “From my understanding, the victim, after he was able to get some medical attention, returned to the place (where he was kidnapped) and was able to get his dog back.” Anyone with information about the kidnapping is asked to call police at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
