A former Oshawa city councillor, who allegedly kidnapped a lawyer and sparked a 27-hour police standoff, will remain behind bars until at least next week.

A day after appearing in court via video, Robert Lutczyk was in court in person Thursday, only to learn his bail hearing had to be put over because of a conflict of interest.

It turns out the justice of the peace who was to hear the case, Jack Wiley, is also a former member of Oshawa city council and worked with the accused.

Wiley recused himself and adjourned the hearing until Monday.

A handful of friends and family, including his elderly parents, were in the courtroom to show support for Lutczyk, who was handcuffed and wore a black jacket and blue jeans.

His mom was in tears during the proceeding and at one point his dad blew him a kiss.

"Just seeing him makes me feel a lot better," Lutczyk's daughter, Tiffany Morin, told reporters later outside court.

The 45-year-old was arrested around 5 a.m. Wednesday when he surrendered to Durham Regional Police after a lengthy standoff in Whitby, Ont.

It's alleged he kidnapped Oshawa city solicitor David Potts at gunpoint from his home in Courtice, Ont., around 11 p.m. Monday.

Officers caught up with his vehicle around 1:45 a.m. Tuesday and followed him to an industrial building on Hopkins St.

Police have said a handcuffed Potts managed to escape his captor while officers surrounded the vehicle with guns drawn.

But the abductor managed to evade officers, fled into an auto repair shop and barricaded himself inside.

After many hours of negotiations, the gunman surrendered and the standoff ended without anyone getting hurt.

Current Oshawa Councillor Bruce Wood, who was among those who talked to Lutczyk by phone and urged him to surrender, also spoke to media after the hearing.

"My sense from that is that he's moving forward," Wood said after seeing his former colleague for the first time since his arrest.

Lutczyk was elected to Oshawa council in 2006 but was ousted in 2010.

Police allege it was a dispute with city officials over "business matters" that led to the abduction.
Lutczyk is charged with armed kidnapping, threatening to cause bodily harm, forcible confinement, escaping police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle as well as other firearms offences.