The woman and her four children kidnapped Friday morning from Crow Wing County have been found safe, and the man suspected of abducting them — and also killing a 62-year-old man before the abduction — has been arrested.

The Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 35-year-old Chad Aanerud was arrested during a traffic stop in Morrison County at 7:15 a.m.

His girlfriend Nikkole Dobson, 33, and her four children Brandon, 14, Haley, 11, Gracie, 7, and Chloe, 3, were found safe in the vehicle after they were allegedly abducted under the threat of Aanerud’s weapon.

The sheriff’s office also confirmed that a 62-year-old man, Lyle Maske, of Brainerd, was found shot to death on Loerch Road, near where the family was abducted, and said Aanerud is a suspect in his murder.

“The Sheriff’s Office has reason to believe that the shooting death and apparent kidnapping are related incidents,” the statement said.

More details are expected to be released later on Friday.

According to the Minnesota BCA, Aanerud arrived at the home in the 15000 block of Loerch Road, “fired a shotgun into the ceiling of the residence and forced Dobson and her children to leave with him.”

Note: The details provided in this story are based on the latest law enforcement version of events and are subject to change.

Sign up for our ULTIMATE newsletters