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Update: Alleged Richmond kidnapper charged with using Taser gun for sex assault

Local school was placed into "hold and secure" pattern while police arrested suspect Wednesday afternoon

A 42-year-old man has been charged with impersonating a police officer, kidnapping and sexual assault with a Taser gun, following a police incident Wednesday that led to an elementary school being placed under a “hold and secure” protocol.

The arrest of Cheng Ian Huang, 42, of Richmond, comes after a major police presence in the “Monds” neighourhood yesterday afternoon.

As of noon today, the BC Prosecution Service has approved seven charges against Huang, including: One count of kidnapping; one count of assault; one count of assault with a weapon; one count of possession of a firearm without a permit; one count of sexual assault using a Taser; one count of impersonating a police officer and one count of uttering a threat.

The Richmond News earlier reported that, around 8:30 on Wednesday morning, a distraught woman approached a vehicle near the west end of Williams Road seeking help. The woman said she had been assaulted and escaped her captor.

The woman was transported to Dixon Elementary School where she was met by the RCMP. The school was later placed under a “secure and release” protocol in the afternoon to ensure the students’ and teachers’ safety.

Later, Richmond RCMP’s investigation led them to a residence in the 3000 block of Jesmond Avenue and police surrounded the area around 1 p.m.

Before 4 p.m., police negotiated with a 42-year-old male resident who surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody. There were no injuries or fatalities.

One witness told the Richmond News she heard a man had been waving a gun. 

According to witness and neighbour Rod Caris, the arrested man could be described as a “delinquent” neighbour who did bizarre things inside and outside his home at 3351 Jesmond Avenue.

“Big time chaos in his garage here; spotlights, tents, welding, burning, you name it; grinding. So everyone up and down the street has complained about him.

“He’s had Richmond city come out, they’ve parked out, they brought a bin. He’s been torn a strip off, many neighbours have gone up to him, I never have,” said Caris.

At this point, the investigation is still ongoing and RCMP officers are still securing the residence on Jesmond Avenue.

Anyone with information related to the incident are encouraged to contact the General Investigation Section at 604.278.1212. To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.