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.