Four people are facing kidnapping charges after a man was found in a box, bound with rope, near a trail in Orillia earlier this month.
Shortly before 8:30 p.m. Jan. 12, police were called to a disturbance on the rail trail off James Street West, where witnesses said they heard someone yelling for help. Officers arrived and found the victim, who had been placed into a plastic box, bound with rope, and appeared to have been recently assaulted, Orillia OPP said in a news release.
Police provided first aid until paramedics arrived. The victim was taken to a local hospital before being transported to a Toronto-area hospital for further treatment.
A search warrant was executed at a Moffat Street residence in Orillia and four people, all residents of Orillia, were arrested.
Ryan Mars, 38, has been charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping, forcible confinement, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, attempted obstruction of justice, and failure to comply with a probation order.
Ashley Newman, 38, has been charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping, forcible confinement, and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
Daniel Boonstra, 32, has been charged with kidnapping.
Bronson Ritchie, 34, has been charged with kidnapping, failure to comply with a release order, and failure to comply with a probation order.
All four are being held in custody pending bail hearings in Orillia.
