Suspected pot thieves tied up, terrorized

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STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich., June 15 (UPI) -- Three suburban Detroit residents are to be arraigned Wednesday on charges of kidnapping and abusing teens they suspected of stealing marijuana.

Sterling Heights, Mich., police Lt. Luke Riley told the Royal Oak Daily Tribune the adults, who were not named, lured several teenagers to a home Monday. The homeowner's son promised his schoolmates free marijuana, he said.

The teens told police the owner and two friends took them into the basement, tied them with duct tape, pistol-whipped them, held a running circular saw to one's face and threatened to cut off his fingers and toes.

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith is to determine the charges.

Police said the house had been burglarized but the homeowner did not report it because he is growing marijuana for medical use in his basement.

Two of the teens managed to run away, and his mother called the police. One teen suffered a possible broken arm and the other three had less serious injuries.

Riley said the homeowner has a valid license to grow medical marijuana.