4 CHARGED AFTER ORILLIA MAN FOUND BOUND, ASSAULTED, IN BOX IN ALLEGED KIDNAPPING

Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

ORILLIA — A man who was allegedly kidnapped, assaulted and found bound up in a plastic box has led to charges against four other Orillia men.

Police say four Orillia men face a variety of charges.

On January 12, 2025, just before 8:30 p.m., officers of the Orillia OPP were dispatched to a disturbance on the Rail Trail off James Street West in the City of Orillia.

Witnesses reported hearing a voice yell for help.

Upon arriving at scene, officers located the victim who had been placed into a plastic box, bound with rope, and had signs of being recently assaulted.

Officers on scene provided first aid treatment until paramedics from Georgian Ambulance arrived on scene to assist.

The victim, an Orillia man, was transported to a local hospital and later to a Toronto area hospital for further medical treatment.

Members of the Orillia Detachment Major Crime Unit, as well as the Forensic Identification Services (IDENT) assisted with continuing the investigation. This included a Search Warrant being executed at a residence located on Moffat Street in the City of Orillia.

As a result of the investigation, four persons have been identified and are facing charges.

Ryan Mars, 38, is charged with:

  • Aggravated Assault CC 268,
  • Kidnapping CC 279(1)(a),
  • Forcible Confinement CC 279(2),
  • Uttering Threats – Cause Death or Bodily Harm CC 264.1(1)(a),
  • Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose CC 88,
  • Attempt Obstruct Justice CC 139(1) and CC 139(2), and
  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order CC 733.1(1)

Ashley Newman, 38, is charged with:

  • Uttering Threats – Cause Death or Bodily Harm CC 264.1(1)(a),
  • Aggravated Assault CC 268,
  • Kidnapping CC 279(1)(a), and
  • Forcible Confinement CC 279(2)

Daniel Boonstra, 32, is charged with:

  • Kidnapping CC 279(1)(a)

Bronson Ritchie, 34, is charged with:

  • Kidnapping CC 279(1)(a),
  • Failure to Comply with Release Order CC 145(5)(a), and
  • Fail to Comply with Probation Order CC 733.1(1)

Mars, Newman, Boonstra and Ritchie were held in custody and will appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Orillia for bail hearings.

The alleged kidnapping reported Jan. 12 in Orillia involved four local men as well as the victim who was also from the city.

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