Brampton kidnapping suspect facing slew of charges as arrest warrant issued

Peel regional police say an arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect in a Brampton abduction, after a 23-year-old woman was taken from her home on Sunday morning.

The victim, who CityNews is not naming, is safe after police say she fled from her captor and arrived in a taxi to 22 Division in Brampton around 7:30 p.m. on Monday.

Supt. Sean Gormley says the victim suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries. After being assessed by paramedics, she was transported to a hospital and interviewed by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) as well as Peel police.

She is cooperating with investigators and is currently being held in a safe place.

Police say the woman and 21-year-old suspect, Kwami Garwood, were in a relationship, which became estranged.

A warrant for the arrest of Garwood has been issued for the following offences:

• Kidnapping
• Forcible Confinement
• Aggravated Assault
• Assault
• Possession of a Loaded/Restricted Firearm Without a License
• Possession of a Firearm Without Being the Holder of a License
• Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance
• Possession of a Prohibited Device or Ammunition Knowing it is Unauthorized x2

Police say the suspect is also wanted on an additional four outstanding warrants throughout the GTA, including first-degree murder in Toronto from last July.

Brampton kidnap suspect Kwami Garwood. PRP/HO

The victim was allegedly kidnapped from a Brampton home around 3 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Officers were called to the home for a disturbance and opened fire as the suspect sped away with the victim in a black Honda Civic. The vehicle was later found abandoned.

Police say the suspect is also wanted on an additional four outstanding warrants throughout the GTA, including first-degree murder in Toronto from last July.

“Police have been actively looking for him for several months but it appears he is quite savvy at avoiding police,” says Supt. Gormley.

Ian Scott, a former SIU director says it can be challenging for enforcement to find a suspect, who may have the help of technology and people to avoid the police.

“Typically, what they (police) will do is put his name and any aliases on the Canadian Police Information Centre System and if you get stopped for any reason then they would run his name. Now if he’s savvy, the last thing he’s going to do is drive a car and take a risk of being pulled over or alternatively he may have false identification,” says Scott.

Scott adds eventually Garwood will be caught as the warrants are in place for all of Canada. Police promise the same.

“I can assure you that we will be successful in finding him and it’s only a matter of time,” says Supt. Gormley.