Sunshine Coast RCMP have arrested and charged six suspects in connection with a violent home invasion last Friday in Gibsons.
Police are also investigating a similar incident which also took place last Friday, this time in Sechelt.
Three males and three females, ranging in age from 50 to young offenders, entered a home on Corlett Street in Gibsons around 8:45 p.m. on Jan. 16 and forcibly removed a 19-year-old man suspected in a break and enter.
Const. Andy Cook said the man was assaulted prior to being removed and his hands bound. Cook said the suspects were in possession of weapons.
The man received scrapes, bruises and small cuts to his face, Cook added.
"The male was then transported to the Sechelt area and took his captors to the location of a firearm that had been stolen in a break and enter," Cook said. "After the stolen firearm was retrieved, the male was taken to the Sunshine Coast RCMP station and turned over to police."
Police began their investigation and arrested all six people involved in the incident. They are recommending charges to Crown counsel including kidnapping, break and enter, assault, assault with a weapon and uttering threats. All six suspects have been released from custody with numerous conditions including a no contact order with the victim and not to possess weapons. The suspects will next appear in Sechelt provincial court on April 30.
Five of the suspects are from the Sunshine Coast, while the sixth is from Vancouver Island.
Cook said no charges have been laid against the victim.
"We're still investigating the case and putting together all the pieces," Cook said. "We want to remind the community that this type of behaviour is very serious and will not be tolerated. The investigation of offences must be done in a legal fashion and should be left to police.
"The public is encouraged to assist police by providing information and allowing the police to act on this information. Anyone involved in incidents such as this can expect to be investigated with appropriate charges being put forward against them."
The second home invasion took place about two hours earlier.
Around 6:40 p.m., three young adult males entered a home in the 5800 block Sunshine Coast Highway in Sechelt and confronted two elderly residents.
The males stole liquor, money and a digital camera. Some items were recovered by police, including the victim's wallet, which was located under water near the Wharf Street pier.
An RCMP artist from Vancouver completed a composite drawing of one of the suspects. Police are not yet releasing that drawing.
Police are still investigating and have not made any arrests.
They are also looking to speak with a man and a woman who were walking on Ocean Avenue who spoke briefly with a police officer at approximately 7 p.m. that evening. Police feel these individuals may have some information necessary to their investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 604-885-2266.
