Gatineau Police have arrested a 29 year-old man who allegedly held a woman hostage for nearly three weeks and forced her into prostitution.

The victim, who is not a minor, was able to free herself and went to Gatineau police for help.

According to Pierre Lanthier, media relations officer with Gatineau Police Services, the victim did not know the suspect.

The arrest was made yesterday just before 5:30 p.m in a Loblaws parking lot located at 1 boul. Du Plateau.

Police then searched the suspect’s apartment on Bruxelle’s Rd. in Gatineau where several items were seized

“We found clothes, papers, and other items that will relate the victim to the suspect,” Lanthier added.

Although the suspect is known to police and has been linked to Gatineau street gangs in the past, police said they are not convinced this incident is gang-related.

The man was scheduled to appear in Gatineau court on Tuesday.

Jean Mary Giscard Bain, 29 is charged with forcibly procuring someone into prostituition and uttering death threats.