Two men arrested in extortion case involving Vancouver Island family

NANAIMO, B.C. – Mounties say a Vancouver Island family was allegedly forced to lodge a man in their home for a week and do what he demanded under the threat of violence.

Nanaimo RCMP Sgt. Sheryl Armstrong says in a news release that police began their investigation Tuesday after a report of an alleged extortion.

Armstrong did not provide further details, saying only that the victims were forced to let the man stay in their home under duress and that another person was also allegedly involved.

Armstrong says 30-year-old Blair Schmidt of Nanaimo is charged with uttering threats, assault with a weapon, use of a firearm to commit extortion and pointing a firearm.

She says he is being held in custody and is expected to appear in court on Friday.

Armstrong says 42-year-old Steve Johnson of Nanaimo was expected to appear in court Thursday to face a charge of uttering threats.