Police charge three individuals in kidnapping incident

We have charged one man and two women with more than 50 offences in relation to the kidnapping of a man that occurred in the city’s northeast last month.

On Thursday, May 9, 2024, police became aware of a kidnapping incident after a man attended the hospital for several injuries he is believed to have sustained as the result of repeated assaults and being held against his will.

Investigators believe the victim attended a hotel room at the Emerald Hotel & Suites located at 2750 Sunridge Blvd. N.E., on Monday, May 6, 2024, at approximately 1 a.m., to meet a woman whom he knew. Once the victim arrived at the hotel, he was met by the woman and a man whom he also knew, and was subsequently held in a hotel room and at a residence for several days, where it is alleged he was robbed of his belongings, physically restrained and assaulted several times.

During the kidnapping the victim was confined to the hotel room for several hours, and subsequently forced into a vehicle and transported to a residence in the 5000 block of Centre Street N, where the victim continued to be held against his will.

The victim was restrained, threatened and assaulted at this location for several days before being transported back to the Emerald Hotel & Suites on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at which point he escaped, attended a nearby hospital and reported the incident to police.

Police attended the Emerald Hotel & Suites and took several individuals into custody who were believed to be in the hotel room at the time of the kidnapping.

As a result, Samantha LAWRENCE, 30, Thorren John ALDRICH, 36, and Kaitlyn Marlene ELLIOTT, 29, all of Calgary, have been charged with several offences in relation to this incident.

LAWRENCE is charged with:

Kidnapping
Assault causing bodily harm
Robbery
Uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm
Seven counts of breaching a release order
Possession of a prohibited firearm
Two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm
Possession of a firearm knowing possession is unauthorized
Unsafe storage of a firearm
Possession of a firearm while committing an indictable offence
Two counts of possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm with ammunition
Five counts of possession of stolen property
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
Possession of body armour
Possession of a firearm when prohibited
Impersonation with intent to gain an advantage
Fraud under $5,000
Obstructing a peace officer

LAWERENCE will next appear in court on Friday, July 19, 2024.

ALDRICH is charged with:

Kidnapping
Assault causing bodily harm
Robbery
Possession of a prohibited firearm
Two counts of unauthorized possession of a firearm
Possession of a firearm knowing possession is unauthorized
Unsafe storage of a firearm
Possession of a firearm while committing an indictable offence
Two counts of possession of a restricted or prohibited firearm with ammunition
Three counts of possession of stolen property
Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
Possession of body armour
Possession of a firearm when prohibited

ALDRICH will next appear in court today, Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

ELLIOTT is charged with:

Kidnapping
Assault causing bodily harm
Robbery
Fabricating evidence
Two counts of public mischief
Obstructing a peace officer
Identity fraud

ELLIOTT will next appear in court on Thursday, July 4, 2024.

The other individuals who were taken into custody were released without incident.

This incident is believed to be drug-related.

Police also searched the hotel room, residence and vehicles believed to be connected to the incident and seized several weapons and ammunition including:

A handgun
A revolver
An SKS rifle
A staple gun
A mini blow torch
A homemade taser
Several rounds of ammunition

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through either of the following methods:

TALK:1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.crimestoppers.org

APP: P3 Tips

CA24185860/4984