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Manchester, NH man accused of kidnapping teenager, forcing him to take drugs

A Manchester, New Hampshire man was arrested and charged after a missing teen was located, Methuen Police say.

Officers arrested 45-year-old Charles Anderson after an investigation led them to a narcotics transaction in Methuen on Wednesday.

Police stopped the car involved in the deal, and arrested Anderson and a 16-year-old boy, who were inside the car with cocaine in their possession.

Detectives later found that the 16-year-old had been reporting as missing from Manchester, New Hampshire, and determined Anderson allegedly forced the 16-year-old into his car and threatened the boy with death if he tried to flee.

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Anderson allegedly drove to the Methuen area to buy cocaine with the boy in the car, and police say he "required" the boy to take the drug.

“The detectives in charge of this case did an excellent job in identifying this situation and arresting this suspect,” Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon said. “I am thankful that they were able to conduct a thorough investigation and rescue this boy from an extremely dangerous individual.”

Methuen Police contacted the boy's parents, along with the New Hampshire Department of Children and Families, and the Manchester Police Department.

“Every parent’s worst fear is that their child will be taken from them,” Methuen Mayor James Jajuga said. “I’m so grateful for the work of our police department, which resulted in a young man being reunited with his family.”

The boy's name was not released, and Anderson was held pending an arraignment in Lawrence District Court.