Thunder Bay police charge 4th person in alleged kidnapping

Thunder Bay police have arrested and charged a fourth person in connection with an alleged kidnapping of a 17-year-old on the city's north side on Saturday.

A 28-year-old Ottawa man faces charges including kidnapping, assault and assault with a weapon. He's the third person from Ottawa arrested and charged this week, in addition to another man from Thunder Bay.

• Thunder Bay police charge three men in alleged kidnapping

• Missing boy, 17, found safe after abduction, Thunder Bay police say

In a news release issued by the police on Friday, the service connected the incident to a "criminal enterprise with origins outside our jurisdiction," and to to the drug trade.

"While some may view drug dealing as an activity limited to a criminal subculture, we are running a real risk of this activity impacting public safety," the release continued.

Handgun seized

The 28-year-old man was arrested by police on Monday at a home on Donald Street E., police said, adding that he remains in custody.

A .357-calibre Magnum handgun and ammunition were also seized at the residence.

This latest incident has "raised the stakes," by introducing more powerful weapons and increased violence, the police said.

A spokesperson for Thunder Bay police told CBC News kidnapping cases aren't common in the city.