JEDDAH, 1 January 2006 — Security forces arrested three armed men yesterday morning after they had kidnapped a 17-year-old boy in Taif the night before.
Speaking to Arab News, a security source said that police had received a call regarding a 17-year-old boy who had been kidnapped. A general alert with a description of the car was sent out to all units and the car was stopped in a remote area near Al-Shafa mountain on Friday night.
Police officers ordered the car to stop and all occupants to surrender. The men refused and abandoned the vehicle, forcing the boy to accompany them. When they fled, the police fired into the air and again ordered them to surrender. They refused and returned fire.
The men fled, keeping the boy as a hostage. In a short time, reinforcements arrived, surrounded the area and closed all possible exits. In the morning, the security forces captured the kidnappers and freed the boy.
The security source said that when they were arrested, a firearm was in their possession. He added that they were apparently intoxicated and on drugs. The police investigation is still ongoing.
