Niagara police say a claim that a 16-year-old Jordan boy was abducted by an armed man on Tuesday morning was fabricated.
Officers from Niagara Police’s 8 District, which polices West Niagara communities out of Grimsby, responded to a report at 10:40 a.m. Tuesday that an armed man had attempted to abduct a 16-year-old male teen at King Street and Nineteenth Street in Jordan.
Officers on scene located an uninjured 16-year-old male teen and a stolen vehicle. The vehicle, a 2004 Black Chevy Avalanche, was found with damage to the front passenger side bumper.
“Further investigation by detectives determined that there was no threat to the public or the community and the report of an armed abductor was fabricated,” said police.
Uniform officers, K9, and the Emergency Task Unit, were all on scene of the investigation. Schools in the area were advised to institute their safety protocols by police.
A 16 year old male, from Lincoln, has been arrested and charged with the following alleged offences: Public Mischief, Theft of Motor Vehicle, and Theft Under $5,000.
“On Sept. 21, 2020, the young offender was believed to have stolen the vehicle, from Haldimand County,” said an updated NRPS police news release.
The update added “while in possession of the stolen vehicle, the young offender is believed to have attended a gas station in the City St. Catharines, pumped gasoline into the vehicle, and left without making an attempt to pay. (Theft Under $5,000).”
Niagara police cannot release the accused youth’s name under the Young Offender’s Act.
The youth has been released and is expected to appear at court in October, at the Robert S.K Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines.
Police ask anyone with information on the incident to contact the Niagara Regional Police at 905-688-4111 ext. 5400.
