A 42-year‑old man was discovered deceased in a wooded area near Tracy, California, after being forcibly taken from the Sikh Temple of Greater Bay Area on Feb. 13, according to the Tracy Sheriff’s Office.
Background
The victim, identified only by his first name, Arjan Singh, was attending a community prayer service at the temple when he vanished. Temple volunteers reported that a group of three men entered the sanctuary, demanded money, and fled on foot. Witnesses said the men appeared to be looking for someone else, but Arjan was the only person they grabbed before disappearing into a nearby alley.
Sheriff Michael Ortega told reporters that surveillance footage captured the three suspects exiting the temple with a single individual in tow. The footage showed the victim struggling, indicating a violent abduction. Ortega added that the suspects abandoned a vehicle on a nearby highway shortly after the kidnapping, leading investigators to a remote field where the body was later found.
The Investigation
The Tracy Sheriff’s Office, working with the FBI’s Sacramento field office and the California Department of Justice, launched a joint task force to locate the missing men and determine motive. Detectives have recovered the abandoned vehicle, a dark‑blue Chevrolet Silverado, and are processing DNA evidence from the victim’s clothing and the suspects’ footprints.
Sheriff Ortega said the victim was “not the intended target” and that the suspects were believed to be pursuing a personal dispute with another temple member. The investigation remains active, and authorities have not yet filed formal charges because the suspects have not been apprehended.
Key Takeaways
- Victim Arjan Singh was abducted from the Sikh Temple of Greater Bay Area on Feb. 13.
- Surveillance shows three suspects forcing the victim into a vehicle before fleeing.
- The victim was not the intended target; investigators believe the suspects were after a different individual.
- Evidence, including a recovered Silverado and DNA samples, is being processed by the FBI and state investigators.
- No arrests have been made; the case remains open and active.
What's Next
Detectives are reviewing additional surveillance from nearby businesses and have issued a public appeal for anyone who saw the suspects or the abandoned vehicle. A press conference is scheduled for Feb. 27, where Sheriff Ortega will provide an update on suspect identification and potential arrest timelines. The FBI’s Sacramento office will continue to assist with forensic analysis, and the Tracy Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information to contact their tip line.