An investigation is underway after a man was abducted and forced into a stolen vehicle at knifepoint, say Port Hope police.
On Wednesday, Jan. 25, the Port Hope Police Service said emergency crews responded to a vehicle fire and possible abduction of a man within the Municipality of Port Hope.
It was in the early morning hours when members of Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services, assisted by Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), responded to a vehicle fire on Hamilton Road, north of Hwy. 401, said the service.
Upon leaving the scene, members of the fire department located a lone man on the shoulder of Telephone Road, reported police. The man said he had been abducted earlier in the evening and forced into a vehicle, said police.
“The male told fire (crews), he fled from this vehicle in the area of Hamilton Road (heading) north. Port Hope fire notified the OPP of this who learned when speaking with him he had been allegedly abducted and forced into the vehicle at knifepoint within the town of Port Hope,” said police.
The man was transported to Northumberland Hills Hospital by paramedics, reported the service. There was no word on any injuries.
The OPP then notified the Port Hope Police Service, which has now taken over the investigation, it was explained.
Members of the Port Hope Police Service’s criminal investigative bureau believe the abduction took place sometime between 11 p.m. on Jan. 24, and the early morning hours of Jan. 25.
Police have released an image of a Toyota Matrix they believe to be similar in appearance to the stolen vehicle used in this abduction.
Police are asking for the public’s help with this investigation. Investigators are asking anyone who has captured this vehicle on home security cameras during the above hours (between 11 p.m., on Jan. 24 and the early morning hours of Jan. 25) to contact Port Hope police.
Anyone who can help is asked to contact Det.-Sgt. Steve Fenton at sfenton@phps.on.ca or 905-885-8123, ext. 236; Det. Const. Morgan Stout at mstout@phps.on.ca or 905-885-8123, ext. 151; or Det. Const. Denley at wdenley@phps.on.ca or phps@phps.on.ca.
