A wrong turn saved a 15-year-old youth who was being held against their will last week in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., according to police.
The youth was saved when the alleged kidnappers headed to a hotel — but took a wrong turn and ended up on the International Bridge with the United States. Both men were arrested by Canadian Border Service Agency officials.
The incident took place on Sept. 19 and involved 40-year-old Sahan Alam, a Sault Ste. Marie man, and Hasan Al-Mamun, a 29-year-old Sudbury, Ont., man, who both have been charged with kidnapping, police said in a news release Tuesday.
None of the allegations have been proven in a court of law.
“Shortly after 10:15 p.m., 911 Communicators were informed the two accused were detained by CBSA officers for suspected kidnapping when they observed a 15-year-old inside the vehicle,” police said.
“Officers were dispatched to the CBSA Sault Ste. Marie port of entry and arrested both accused.”
Neither accused knew the victim well, police said, and they had picked the teen up earlier in the day.
An investigation revealed the suspects “would not allow (the teen) to leave the vehicle,” police said.
“While attempting to drive the victim to a hotel, (the suspects) made a wrong turn onto the International Bridge and were intercepted by officers when they attempted to re-enter Canada.”
Both men were charged with kidnapping and held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Police spokesperson Lincoln Louttit declined to say whether the victim was male or female.
“Particularly when referring to a victim, it is imperative that we do not release information that could potentially identify them,” Louttit said in an email to CTV News.
