WATERVILLE — A 71-year-old Vassalboro man was assaulted and kidnapped by his friends, who drove him around Waterville in his own car early Friday morning before he was able to free himself, according to Maine State Police.

The man, whose name was not released, called authorities after he escaped, said Trooper Jeff Beach.

The man was with two friends in his Vassalboro home around midnight Thursday when he was asked to drive the group to Waterville. When he refused, he was assaulted, his mouth was covered with duct tape, his hands were bound with rope and they put him in the cargo area of his hatchback car, Beach said.

Beach said the man spent the next two hours in the car as his friends drove to area homes and eventually arrived at a home on Louise Avenue, where the pair left him in the car. He was able to free himself, get out of the car and call police from a neighboring home.

The man’s injuries were superficial and he does not plan to pursue legal action, Beach said.

“At this point he’s saying these are his friends and he doesn’t want to press charges,” he said.

Ben McCanna — 861-9239

bmccanna@centralmaine.com

Copy the Story Link