Brantford resident facing kidnapping charges following OPP investigating in Erin

Wellington County OPP have charged a person from Brantford for kidnapping following an investigation in Erin.

A 28-year-old from Brantford is facing multiple charges, including kidnapping, in connection to an Ontario Provincial Police investigation in Erin.

Wellington OPP had shut down a part of Wellington Road 124 between Trafalgar Road and Patrick Drive on Thursday around 2:15 p.m., for a report from a person claiming to be held against their will.

After the victim called 9-1-1, police attended a business on Wellington Road 124. Officers say the suspect ran away from the area but was taken into custody a short time later without incident.

Police say there were no injuries reported. As a precaution, a nearby school was put under a ‘hold and secure’ while officers contained the area for the investigation.

A 28-year-old from Brantford was charged with spousal assault, assault causing bodily harm, kidnapping, intimidation and uttering threats.

“The difference between forcible confinement and kidnapping also refers in part to transporting one person, taking them and holding them against their will, and moving them to another location,” explained Derek Rogers, the regional media relations coordinator with OPP West Region.

Although limited details were given about the suspect or victim, police are reassuring victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault that they are not alone.

“We know that intimate partner violence is a problem in every community in Ontario,” Rogers told CTV News.

“We know it is a dramatically underreported crime that happens and there are a variety of different reasons why that is the case, but certainly, it played a role in this as well.”

Anyone needing support are being encouraged to contact local resources such as Victim Services Wellington, Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis and the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care and Treatment Centre.