CASSOPOLIS (WKZO AM/FM) — A Dowagiac man now faces 20-charges, including kidnapping, extortion and multiple gun, drug and assault charges after he allegedly held an acquaintance hostage last weekend over missing money.
24-year-old Ryan McCuddy has been ordered held on $300,000 bond after he was arrested Thursday. The 22-year-old victim, Carlos Belmares, from Lawrence had apparently been accused of taking $3000 from McCuddy’s wallet after he dropped it.
Police say Belmares was assaulted several times and threatened with a shotgun. He was eventually allowed to leave with the promise he was going to get the cash.
Instead he went to Police. It was a search of the home for evidence of the hostage taking that resulted in the discovery of quantities of cocaine and marijuana in the home.
