×

City Man Charged For Kidnapping, Threatening Victim

A Jamestown man was charged Thursday for allegedly kidnapping and threatening a male victim with a gun.

Jamestown police said the victim had reported he was being held captive on March 12 at an 11 Norwood Ave. residence. During the confinement, it is alleged that Mark E. Diers Jr., 39, mentally and verbally abused the victim, even threatening him with a gun.

Police executed a search warrant of the residence and found illegal weapons, drug paraphernalia and unsanitary living conditions.

Also found were several animals, including three painted turtles, which are illegal to possess, police said Friday in a release.

Diers was charged with second-degree kidnapping, second-degree menacing, second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia, first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree criminal use of a firearm, two counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

He was taken to city jail to await arraignment.

Police said the investigation is continuing and further charges are possible.

After the search, the residence was condemned by the Jamestown Department of Development and the illegal animals were seized by New York State Environmental Conservation.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today