Kidnapping in Dutch town ends in five arrests

On Sunday night the police arrested five people in Drachten and Boelenslaan following a reported kidnapping of a 26-year-old man from Almelo. The Almelo man was forced into a car on Baalder in Drachten and held there against his will, the police said in a statement on Monday.

The 26-year-old man approached patrolling police officers himself and reported that he was held against his will in a car, which had driven away a short time before. Another patrol car chased the vehicle down and arrested the two people inside - a 26-year-old man from Surhuisterveen and a 45-year-old woman from Drachten.

The investigation revealed that more people may have been involved in the kidnapping. At a camp site in Boelenslaan the police arrested three more suspects and found a firearm. The suspects are a 41-year-old man from Ureterp, a 37-year-old man from Drachten and a 21 year old woman from Augustinusga.

All suspects are in custody for further investigation. The firearm and two cars were seized.

It is unclear how long the victim was held against his will, or why.