Oshawa’s solicitor returned to his job Wednesday, just one day after escaping his abductor who allegedly kidnapped him and held him against his will at gunpoint.

David Potts told CTV Toronto that he’s thankful for the professionalism of Durham police.

“I’m very, very grateful to Durham Regional Police Service for finding me, first. And secondly, creating the circumstances in which I was ultimately able to escape,” he said.

Potts also thanked police for handling the situation peacefully, and allowing the suspect to surrender unharmed. He would not comment further, saying that the matter is before the court.

“I think that the accused is entitled to a fair trial. And I’m going to do my part by not prejudicing the investigation in any respect,” he said.

Potts was at the centre of a "volatile" hostage situation in Whitby, Ont., that could have had a much different ending if officers hadn't intervened quickly, Durham Police say.

Police were drawn into an around-the-clock standoff late Monday after an Oshawa man barricaded himself inside a local repair shop following an apparent abduction.

The suspect, who was armed, surrendered peacefully early Wednesday.

By Wednesday afternoon, forensic investigators were sweeping the auto repair shop in an effort to seek out explosive materials, said police.

While police have not formally named either person involved the suspect is believed to be former Oshawa city councillor Robert Lutczyk.

At a news conference Wednesday, Durham Regional Police Supt. Brian Osborne said it appears that there had been some degree of planning involved in the abduction.

“There certainly would appear to be some amount of preplanning involved as to what went on that evening,” said Osborne.

Police received a call around 11 p.m. Monday, telling them a city of Oshawa employee had allegedly been taken from his home in Clarington, said Osborne.

Police were given a vehicle description, and officers were immediately dispatched to search for the car.

Nearly three hours later, at 1:45 a.m., the vehicle was located in Whitby, with the suspect and victim still inside. The suspect drove off and officers followed the car to an industrial complex about a kilometre away, where they confronted the suspect at gunpoint.

"As a result of the confrontation with police, the victim was able to get away from the suspect, and he ran a short distance away into the industrial unit," Osborne said. "Our officers then contained the scene and the incident was treated as an armed, barricaded person."

He added the situation was "very volatile” and “we're thankful the resolution we have is the result of what happened."

Osborne offered few details about the motivation behind the abduction, saying only that "there were business matters (the suspect) had with the City of Oshawa and he was upset about how they were resolved."

The suspect appeared in Oshawa court later Wednesday, where he was charged with numerous offences, including forcible confinement, kidnapping and use of a firearm.

He is scheduled to appear at a bail hearing on Thursday.

With a report from CTV Toronto’s Austin Delaney and Zuraidah Alman