Ottawa resident charged in rural Ontario kidnapping

Ontario Provincial Police cruiser. (Source: OPP/File Image)

Ontario Provincial Police have charged an Ottawa resident involved with an alleged kidnapping in Bancroft, Ont. last year.

Police say a Bancroft resident was “taken against his will” in September 2024 and forced to withdraw a large amount of cash from different banks in Ottawa.

He was then driven back to Bancroft and dropped off unharmed, police say.

After a lengthy investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for a 22-year-old suspect. The accused was located and taken into custody after a traffic stop on Tuesday by Ottawa Valley OPP officers.

Police believe the incident was targeted and do not believe there is any danger to the public.

The suspect was hit with a total of eight criminal charges relating to kidnapping, assault, robbery and extortion.

The accused was held in custody after a bail hearing Wednesday.