‘If you try and run, I’ll kill you’: Man eludes Saskatoon kidnappers

A bizarre kidnapping case in Saskatoon left a 21-year-old man beaten, robbed, and looking to a stranger for help.

Police said it started at around 7 a.m. Sunday. The man was being driven around in his vehicle by a 21-year-old female friend when they were cut off and stopped.

The 24-year-old man in the other vehicle then proceeded to kidnap the younger man with the assistance of the man’s friend, according to investigators.

The victim was forced into the other car, then beaten, robbed of his phone, cash and belongings while being driven around for the next four hours. He was able to escape when his kidnappers stopped for gas at the Blairmore Esso on the western edge of the city.

Laura was in her backyard when the man approached her home at around 11:30 a.m.

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“I saw a man waving his arms and he was yelling ‘call 911, call 911.’ He said, ‘I was kidnapped, beaten up, my car stolen, and this was all at gunpoint,” Laura said.

She said the man was panicked, and had visible bruises on his face as well as a black eye. Not knowing if he was dangerous, Laura kept her distance while she called 911. She said the young man hid behind a building while she relayed questions from the emergency operator.

“How he got away was, he said he had to use the washroom, and the fellow said, ‘well if you try and run, I’ll kill you.’” Laura said. “He told me that he got away because there were a group of people leaving and he ran … in the group, and then ran down the highway.”

Police later found a suspect vehicle at a farmhouse just west of the city, and arrested two of the alleged kidnappers. Laura was told that a total of four kidnappers were driving the city around in two different vehicles, one of which belonged to the victim.

“When he mentioned that [the kidnappers] had guns and they were a gang, I was a little afraid because, you know, I didn’t want my animals shot,” Laura said. “I wasn’t so worried about myself.”

A 24-year-old man is charged with robbery, unlawful confinement, assault, uttering threats, and breach of recognizance. The 21-year-old woman aquaintented with the victim is charged with being a party to the robbery and unlawful confinement.

Both were in court Monday morning.

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