Two Chatham-Kent residents are facing a long list of charges after a woman was allegedly held against her will, assaulted, and threatened at a residence in Chatham.
Chatham-Kent police said the victim came forward on Friday, October 13 and told police that a few days before that, a man and a woman had forced her to stay inside a residence on Duke Street in Chatham.
While she was there, the woman was allegedly assaulted, threatened with "various weapons" (including a firearm), and coerced into admitting she was involved in an unrelated situation.
Investigators said when the couple released the woman, they warned her not to contact police.
CK police said officers quickly followed up on the report and searched the residence on Duke Street in connection with the forcible confinement investigation.
Police said when they were searching the residence, they found a loaded Glock 9mm handgun and a "substantial amount" of Canadian cash. They also reported finding some suspected heroin and fentanyl at the scene.
Officers said after that discovery, they obtained and executed a second search warrant, which resulted in police seizing approximately $6,500 worth of heroin and fentanyl along with a significant amount of cash.
A 26-year-old Wallaceburg woman and a 27-year-old Chatham man were both charged with one count each of forcible confinement, assault, and uttering threats along with a handful of other weapons and drug-related charges.
Both of the accused were arrested and taken to police headquarters where they were set to be held pending a bail hearing.
Police said they are also still investigating the forcible confinement and assault incident because investigators strongly suspect other individuals may have been involved.
Officers are asking anyone with information that could help with the investigation to contact Detective Constable Mark VanderGriendt as soon as possible. You can reach him at markvan@chatham-kent.ca or by calling 519-436-6600 ext. 207.
You can also submit anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) and may be eligible for a cash reward.
