An international student abducted Saturday in Markham has been found alive at a home near the Town of Gravenhurst, according to the Ontario Provincial Police.

Sgt. Jason Folz with the OPP told the Star that Wanzhen Lu was located shortly before 9 p.m. Tuesday when the owner of the home “noticed him at the end of his laneway” and called police.

Lu identified himself verbally to OPP officers and was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

In news conference late Tuesday night, Const. Andy Pattenden congratulated investigators for their work in the search for Lu, calling it a “proud moment for York Regional Police,” but stressed that the investigation is “far from over.”

Pattenden confirmed that the 35-year-old suspect York Region Police had arrested in connection with the violent weekend kidnapping of the 22-year-old student has now been released and will face no charges.

The four suspects involved in the kidnapping remain at large, Pattenden said.

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Pattenden said that Lu’s family, who have arrived in Canada from China, have been notified that their son has been found safe.

On Monday, police found the black Dodge Caravan that they believe was used to abduct Lu.

According to police, on Saturday, close to 6 p.m., Lu was forced into a van in the underground parking garage of his condo. He was accompanied by a female friend who was unharmed.

Lu and his friend had exited their car and may have been walking toward the elevators of the condo. At that point he was Tasered and forced into the van by three men who were wearing hoods, police said.

The first suspect was described as wearing a mask, blue pants and a black jacket.

The second was described as six foot one with dark skin, wearing a black Canada Goose jacket. The third suspect also has dark skin and is six foot two with a heavier build, wearing dark blue jeans and a black jacket.

A fourth suspect was wearing a green and yellow jacket with a hood.

Police found the black, wheelchair-accessible van in an undisclosed location. Police say they currently have a forensic team combing the van for clues. The van was found with the plates removed.

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China’s ministry of foreign affairs have issued multiple warnings to Chinese nationals, including telephone ransom scams from perpetrators demanding money. The scam has hit students living in Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and Calgary. But the violence of the recent attack, using a “conductive energy weapon” is on another level.

The incident has caused concern in China, where Canada is regarded as a safe haven from crime. Canada, and Toronto in particular, has benefitted economically from an influx of Chinese students. Moody’s Investor Services have estimated that two-thirds of the international student body at the University of Toronto and a third at the University of British Columbia are from China.

“The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto attaches great importance to this case and immediately activated the consular protection emergency mechanism,” said the consulate in a statement. “We will provide all necessary assistance within the scope of our duties.”

With files from Emerald Bensadoun and Tony Wong.

Rhianna Jackson-Kelso is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @RhiannaJK

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