Amador County – A reported kidnapping led to an arrest at Wal-Mart in Martell Monday night. Amador sheriff’s deputies arrested Merle Range of Stockton and charged him with kidnapping, extortion and possession of a controlled substance. Range was being held today in the Amador County Jail, with his bail set at $77,500 dollars. At about 9 p.m. Monday, the Amador County Sheriff's Office received a call from a reporting party in Stockton, stating that a 25-year-old male was being held for ransom in Amador County. The caller stated that the kidnapper was at the Wal-Mart on Wicklow Way, inside a gold colored car. Sheriff's deputies responded immediately and located a car matching the description. A felony stop was initiated and one suspect was taken into custody. The victim was also in the vehicle. At the time, representatives from the Stockton Police Department began the process of going out to talk to the reporting party in Stockton, and further questioning of the suspect and victim also ensued. Amador County Undersheriff Jim Wegner said the suspect was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and possession of methamphetamines, after drugs were found in his car. The victim reportedly was abducted at knifepoint in Stockton, because he owed the kidnapper money. The suspect gave no information. The victim’s sister reportedly was told to wire money to the suspect or the victim would be harmed. Wegner said the investigation is continuing, because of conflicting stories. Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.