THUNDER BAY -- Three men involved in an alleged targeted kidnapping of a 17-year-old Thunder Bay man are now facing a litany of charges, a day after the youngster was rescued by police from his captors.
Police spokesman Chris Adams said it’s definitely an unusual case for the city.
He said the teenager, who was in danger the entire time he was held captive, was abducted from a Tupper Street residence on Saturday afternoon, taken to a residence in the 700 block of Simpson Street and assaulted for approximately 48 hours.
Police spotted the unnamed victim being forced out of a truck on nearby Pruden Street, where they rescued him from his abductors.
Two men, who fled the scene, were arrested on Finlayson Street moments later.
A third man was arrested as the investigation unfolded.
“It’s not something we see very frequently at all, kidnappings, especially something like this involving multiple people. For us it’s still an ongoing investigation and it’s a number of charges laid against three individuals,” Adams said on Tuesday.
“These are some unusual charges as well.”
Ottawa’s Mohamed Ahmed Ali, 22, faces one charge of kidnapping, one charge of assault and one charge of administering a noxious thing.
Fellow Ottawa resident Juan Pulido, 22, was charged with one count of kidnapping, assault with a weapon, two counts of uttering threats, administering a noxious thing and breach of undertaking.
Thunder Bay’s Jaymz Keir Perry Hancock, 23, is charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of extortion.
Administering a noxious thing is not an every-day charge, Adams admitted.
“In this case it’s forcing someone to take something against their will and certainly if it can jeopardize their health,” he said.
Asked if the kidnapping was sexual in nature, Adams said it wasn’t. Asked if it was gang-related, he said it’s still an ongoing investigation, the same reply he gave when asked if the victim knew his abductors.
He did say more information was likely to be released in coming days.
Although he couldn’t go into the exact nature of the assault, Adams said it was very traumatizing and the teenager was taken to hospital for an examination after being freed, his injuries proving to be minor in nature.
“He’s fortunate to be alive and is safe,” he said. “It’s clear to us he was in danger.”
All three suspects are expected to appear in court on Wednesday.
