CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Charleston man was beaten and kidnapped on Thursday by a man who accused him of stealing his marijuana plants, police said.

Charles Brett Cook, 25, of Charleston, was driving with a friend on W.Va. 21 in Sissonville on Thursday night when a pickup truck pulled up behind them and began tailgating, said Lt. Sean Crosier of the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department.

Crosier said Cook pulled over, while the other vehicle pulled in front of him. Cook got out of his car, as did the driver of the truck, Edmond Jonathan Payne, 22. Payne carrying a baseball bat.

Crosier said Payne beat Cook with the bat as he demanded to know where Cook had taken his stolen marijuana plants. Another man got out of the truck and started assaulting Cook, as did a woman carrying a baby.

The truck driver then pulled a gun and ordered Cook into the truck so he could take him to the stolen marijuana, Crosier said. As they drove south on W.Va. 21 the driver decided he needed gasoline, and pulled into the Little General store in Sissonville. Cook then escaped, ran into the store and called for help.

Crosier said Cook was bruised and swollen, but refused medical attention. He said Cook knew his attackers, and deputies are investigating.

Crosier was not sure whether Cook had actually stolen the marijuana.

Payne and Savanna Lattea, 20 of Tupper's Creek, were to be charged in Kanawha County Magistrate Court late Friday with kidnapping and malicious wounding in the case, Crosier said.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A Charleston man was beaten and kidnapped on Thursday by a man who accused him of stealing his marijuana plants, police said.

Charles Brett Cook, 25, of Charleston, was driving with a friend on W.Va. 21 in Sissonville on Thursday night when a pickup truck pulled up behind them and began tailgating, said Lt. Sean Crosier of the Kanawha County Sheriff's Department.

Crosier said Cook pulled over, while the other vehicle pulled in front of him. Cook got out of his car, as did the driver of the truck, Edmond Jonathan Payne, 22. Payne carrying a baseball bat.

Crosier said Payne beat Cook with the bat as he demanded to know where Cook had taken his stolen marijuana plants. Another man got out of the truck and started assaulting Cook, as did a woman carrying a baby.

The truck driver then pulled a gun and ordered Cook into the truck so he could take him to the stolen marijuana, Crosier said. As they drove south on W.Va. 21 the driver decided he needed gasoline, and pulled into the Little General store in Sissonville. Cook then escaped, ran into the store and called for help.

Crosier said Cook was bruised and swollen, but refused medical attention. He said Cook knew his attackers, and deputies are investigating.

Crosier was not sure whether Cook had actually stolen the marijuana.

Payne and Savanna Lattea, 20 of Tupper's Creek, were to be charged in Kanawha County Magistrate Court late Friday with kidnapping and malicious wounding in the case, Crosier said.