RCMP is investigating an alleged assault and kidnapping that happened earlier this year and has charged a local man.

Police executed a warrant on a residence in the 400 block of Muskrat Street in Banff on Monday at about 10:45 a.m. and arrested a man without incident.

The warrant was issued in relation to an alleged assault and kidnapping in the 300 block of Beaver Street on April 29th of this year.

It is alleged that the victim was jumped by two unknown males while walking to work and was then assaulted and forcibly put into a van.

It is believed that the assault continued inside the van and that the victim was then dropped off in another area in Banff. Police say the van then fled the area.

A man was questioned at the time of the incident and was released without charges.

Police say they believe that the incident was not random and that the victim was targeted.

Wayne Church, 54, from Banff has been charged with:

  • One count of Kidnapping;
  • One count of Forcible Confinement;
  • One count of Robbery;
  • Two counts of Extortion.

Church has been released from custody and will appear in Canmore Provincial Court on December 12th, 2012.