Windsor kidnapping-murder plot thwarted, say police

Police in Windsor, Ont., say they stopped a man from carrying out "an elaborate plan to abduct and murder" a 17-year-old girl and a 20-year-old woman.

The investigation started on July 23 after an undercover officer saw a posting online by the 27-year-old man. The man posted photos of the intended victims and discussed his plans with the undercover officer, according to a news release from Windsor police.

Police say all three people know each other, but could not elaborate on the relationship or the motive, as the investigation is ongoing.

Investigators have been in touch with the woman and the teen and both are very relieved the man was apprehended before he could execute his plan, Windsor Police Sgt. Matt D'Asti said at a press conference Monday afternoon.

D'Asti said this kind of case is "not something I've ever seen in my career."

The suspect's plan included breaking into the residence where the woman and teen live to gather information, then abducting them later, taking them to a remote location to kill them and "eventually disposing of them," said D'Asti.

After communicating online, the man met the undercover officer to buy supplies to help him break into the residence to collect information before attempting the abduction, say police.

The man was arrested on his way to meet the undercover officer late Saturday. He was charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, one count of breaking and entering and two counts of kidnapping.

The investigation involved officers from several jurisdictions, but police said they can't be identified because of the nature of the ongoing investigation.