A father and his son were arrested after kidnapping two U.S. Forest Service employees near Mt. Shasta, California.
The pair held the workers hostage inside a trailer on a remote road near Gumboot Lake, binding them with zip ties and demanding contact with the FBI.
An employee of the Forest Service alerted authorities before 11 a.m. Thursday, prompting a rapid response from local law enforcement and federal agents.
The FBI dispatched a hostage negotiator from Quantico to coordinate with state officials and manage the tense situation.
After hours of negotiation, the first hostage was released at 1:50 a.m. Friday, followed by the second at 2:05 a.m., with the kidnappers surrendering at 2:30 a.m.
The U.S. Attorney's Office plans to charge both men with kidnapping a federal employee under Title 18, Section 1201(a)(5).
Officials emphasized that the safety and well‑being of the released workers remain a top priority and that they are receiving ongoing support.
Investigators have not yet determined the kidnappers' motives or why they requested FBI involvement.
