Lu Wanzhen, a 22-year-old student from China, was abducted by four men from an underground car park in Markham, a suburban city in the Greater Toronto area.

“The investigative efforts are far from over”

But on Tuesday morning the Yorkville University student was found asking for help in a town more than 100 miles north of Toronto.

“A man walked up to a residence on Doe Lake Road in the Town of Gravenhurst, looking for help. The homeowner called police and officers with the Ontario Provincial Police attended and identified the man,” local police said in a statement.

The van used by the four men to kidnap Lu was found by police, but the suspects have not been arrested.

York Regional Police spokesman Andy Pattenden said the search is continuing.

“We’re very concerned that they’re still out there, and I can tell you that the investigative efforts are far from over. We’re going to continue with this until those four suspects are found and brought into custody,” he told the BBC.

UPDATE – ARMED KIDNAPPING IN MARKHAM – Wanzhen LU was located shortly before 9pm tonight in Gravenhurst. With assistance from @OPP_COMM_CR he was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The search continues for the 4 suspects who kidnapped Mr LU. Any info call 866-876-5423 x7865. pic.twitter.com/fpvVcqOMVy

— York Regional Police (@YRP) March 27, 2019

A 35-year-old man was arrested in Toronto, but was later released “unconditionally”.

The police are also in contact with the Chinese consulate with regards to the case.

Although the police have not given any information on the possible motives behind the crime, media reports have highlighted at least three cases of Chinese students targeted by criminals for extortion.

The police described the attack as “brazen”  and “violent” and other media have pointed to money as a factor, as Lu drove various luxury cars.

Although a friend said Lu was “traumatised” by the event, police said he suffered only minor injuries from a taser and was briefly treated in hospital.