The Grand Rapids Press WALKER -- A kidnapping and beating were bad enough for a 20-year-old Grand Rapids man, who Sunday night was eating at McDonald's with his girlfriend when three captors took him away. Next came the ransom demand -- a paltry $800. Five hours later, the victim was rescued by police -- and then thrown in jail along with his kidnappers. He had an outstanding charge, police said. "He had a bad day going there," Walker Police Detective Mike Iwanski said.
The drama began about 10:30 p.m. Sunday at McDonald's restaurant on Walker Avenue NW near Int. 96. Three men in a pickup tracked him down there, claiming he owed them $800, Iwanski said. After he refused to pay, they led him outside, beat him and loaded him into the back seat. Police said they believe the kidnapping was drug-related.