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UPDATE: West-end kidnapping suspects face more charges

Sault Police now allege both suspects were involved in a break-and-enter the night before victim was abducted at gunpoint
06-25-2020-SaultPoliceStockSummerJH07
File photo. James Hopkin/SooToday

UPDATE: Oct. 16, 2024

Two people arrested last week after a person was kidnapped at gunpoint are facing more charges.

Sault Police say after the initial arrests on Oct. 8, investigators determined the same two suspects allegedly attempted to break into another residence in the 1000 block of Second Line West just before midnight the night before.

On Oct. 15, officers attended the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre to arrest the two suspects on additional charges.

Carter Barnes, 19, is now further charged with break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Austyn Taylor, 18, is further charged with break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, and eight counts of possession of a firearm or ammunition contrary to a prohibition order. 

Both accused remain in custody pending a bail hearing.

ORIGINAL STORY: Oct. 8, 2024

Two people are facing a long list of charges after Sault Police say a person was kidnapped at gunpoint last night in the city's west end.

Police say the incident occurred around midnight, when someone phoned 911 to report a person “being forcibly removed from a residence in the 1000 block of Second Line West at gunpoint and driven away from the area.”

A short time later, officers spotted a vehicle matching the description on South Eden Street and “conducted a high-risk traffic stop.”

Three people were placed under investigative detention — one of whom turned out to be the kidnapping victim. 

“The victim was released unconditionally and did not report physical injuries,” says a news release issued today by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service. “The victim and the two accused are known to each other.”

A subsequent search of the vehicle turned up a loaded 9mm handgun, approximately 10 grams of suspected cocaine and packaging materials. One of the suspects was also found to be in possession of 12 percocet tablets, police allege.

Carter Barnes, 19, is charged with:  

  • Using Firearm in Commission of Offence x2 
  • Careless use of a Firearm x2 
  • Pointing a Firearm 
  • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose x2 
  • Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm 
  • Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized 
  • Possession of Firearm in Motor Vehicle  
  • Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition 
  • Kidnapping Using Firearm 
  • Breaking and Entering 
  • Possession of Schedule 1 Substance x2 
  • Possession of Prohibited Weapon 
  • Assault with a Weapon 

Austyn Taylor, 18, is charged with:  

  • Using Firearm in Commission of Offence x2 
  • Careless use of a Firearm x2 
  • Pointing a Firearm 
  • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose x2 
  • Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm 
  • Possession of Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized 
  • Possession of Firearm in Motor Vehicle  
  • Possession of a Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition 
  • Kidnapping Using Firearm 
  • Breaking and Entering 
  • Possession of Schedule 1 Substance 
  • Possession of Prohibited Weapon 
  • Assault with a Weapon 

Both suspects were held in custody pending bail hearings.

None of the allegations have been tested in court and both are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.