A 26-year-old man was hospitalised at the weekend after he was bundled into a van and beaten unconscious.
The harrowing incident took place on Friday night when the man got off a bus on Calderwood Road and made his way onto Cantieslaw Drive.
As he approached the junction with Drummond Hill, he was grabbed by “two or three men” who put a bag over his head, pulled him into a van, assaulted him and knocked him unconscious.
He was then left at the side of the A725 expressway in East Kilbride, around four miles from where he had been abducted.
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Now police have launched an investigation into the incident in the Calderwood area and say that they believe the man was “targeted” by his assailants.
Detective Constable Paul Mooney, Cambuslang CID, said: “This incident appears to have been targeted and
we are appealing for anyone with any information that can help us establish exactly what happened to come forward.
“Think back; do you remember seeing a new white Ford van with a silver or grey roof rack around the Cantieslaw Drive area on Friday evening?
“Did you see a man walking along the side of the road trying to stop cars for assistance?
Police are particularly interested in finding the whereabouts of the vehicle used, with the victim describing it as a new white Ford van, with a silver or grey roof rack
The victim was unable to provide details about the number plate, or specifics about his abductors, but said that the suspects had “local accents”.
The incident is reminiscent of a kneecapping and attempted murder in Stewartfield in March 2015 over a drug debt.
Then, a man was driven to East Kilbride and shot, before being dumped at the side of the road – 250 miles from his home in Barnsley.
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However, Police Scotland have made no suggestion of a connection between the two incidents.
DC Mooney added: “We would also ask anyone who may have been driving on the A725 late Friday evening and in the early hours of Saturday morning to get in touch with us – do you have dash-cam footage?
“Any piece of information, no matter how small, could be the key to help us find those responsible.”
As the News went to print, Police Scotland confirmed on Tuesday that “enquiries were ongoing”.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police via 101.
Information can be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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