Thunder Bay police charge three men in alleged kidnapping

Three men have been charged with kidnapping in Thunder Bay, following the alleged abduction of a 17-year old on Saturday, according to city police.

Two men from Ottawa, both 22 years old, and one 23 year-old man from Thunder Bay have been charged with kidnapping, police said in a media release issued Tuesday afternoon. Other charges against the two from Ottawa include assault and "administering a noxious thing."

In addition to the kidnapping charge, the accused from Thunder Bay also faces a charge of extortion.

"It's pretty rare actually," police spokesperson Chris Adams told CBC News when asked about how often police deal with cases like this. "Abductions don't usually occur that often."

The charges come after police reported that a 17 year-old male was abducted from a home on Tupper Street on August 13. According to police, he had been held and assaulted at another residence on Simpson Street until August 15.

It was on that day when officers saw the teen being taken from a pickup truck on Pruden Street just after2:30 p.m, police said.

Two menin the truck fled and were later arrested, police said, adding that further investigation led to the arrest of the third suspect.

The 17 year-old was treated for "minor injuries," Adams said, adding that he is now safe.

The investigation is still ongoing, according to police; Adams said it's possible more charges could be laid.