Sault kidnapping victim escapes in handcuffs, had been beaten and threatened

One person has been charged after a victim of a kidnapping in the Sault was found on the street, still handcuffed after being held for 24 hours.

A kidnapping victim managed to escape their captor early in the morning Sunday in Sault Ste. Marie and were found running near John Street, still in handcuffs.

Police rescued them after a 911 caller reported someone running down the road near John Street and Conmee Avenue.

A 48-year-old has been charged in the case – and it turns out the same suspect kidnapped the same victim in 2022.

In the most recent case, officers were dispatched to the area around 2:15 a.m. March 23.

“Upon arrival, officers located a victim whose hands were bound with zip ties and with tape around their head,” police said in a news release Tuesday.

Confined for 24 hours

“An investigation revealed the victim had been forcibly confined in the basement for 24 hours prior to their escape. During this time, the victim’s clothes were cut off, belongings stolen and the victim was bound with restraints, struck with objects, cut with a knife and threatened.”

Thankfully, the victim’s physical injuries are minor, police said, adding that the victim and accused are known to one another.

“The investigation also revealed between June and July of 2022, the accused had kidnapped the victim once before,” the release said.

“During this incident, the accused dragged the victim into a vehicle, transported them to a residence in the 300 block of John Street and bound them to a chair in a closet.”

The 48-year-old suspect was arrested March 23 and charged with kidnapping, forcible confinement, assault, robbery and several other offences.

Wanted on outstanding warrants

“Officers located the accused coming out of a residence in the 500 block of John Street,” police said.

“The accused was also wanted on multiple outstanding warrants. A search of the accused located approximately 0.7 grams of suspected cocaine and approximately 5.22 grams of suspected fentanyl.”

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.