Kelliher man faces over 20 charges in kidnapping and assault investigation: RCMP

(David Prisciak/CTV News)

A Saskatchewan man is facing more than 20 charges for his alleged role in a kidnapping and the assault of several people.

On Thursday, March 19, at around 8:45 p.m., Punnichy RCMP learned of a reported kidnapping in the community of Kelliher, located around 130 kilometres northeast of Regina.

Investigators learned a man was sitting in a parked vehicle outside a business in the community when the suspect approached, pointed a gun at the victim, threatened him and then got inside the vehicle and ordered him to drive.

The victim followed the orders, eventually parking outside a home on George Gordon First Nation.

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A man and woman later approached the vehicle to help the victim. In response, the suspect broke one of the vehicle’s windows and sprayed the pair with bear spray.

At this point, Punnichy RCMP responded and arrested the suspect. The three victims, two men and one woman, were assessed by paramedics and were deemed to have suffered non-life-threatening injuries. They were taken to hospital.

RCMP discovered a sawed-off firearm, ammunition, two cans of bear mace, a machete, a baton, around 36 grams of methamphetamine, around 24 grams of fentanyl and approximately six grams of psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms.

As a result of the investigation, 31-year-old Adrian Frank faces a total of 24 charges. They include:

• one count, pointing a firearm
• one count, kidnapping with a firearm
• one count, forcible confinement
• two counts, uttering threats against a person
• three counts, assault with a weapon
• one count, possession of a restricted firearm/prohibited weapon with ammunition without license/registration
• one count, possession of a prohibited weapon when knowing possession unauthorized
• four counts, weapons possession contrary to order
• one count, possession of a firearm/weapon/device/ammunition in motor vehicle
• four counts, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
• one count, assault
• three counts, carrying a concealed weapon
• one count, mischief equal to or less than $5,000

Frank made his first court appearance in Punnichy on Tuesday.

Punnichy RCMP continue to investigate the incident.