West Orange New Jersey police recently arrested two people who allegedly held a teenager at gunpoint because of an alleged theft.
According to officials, the suspects held the 16-year-old victim at gunpoint for roughly 13 hours at a home located on Ridgehurst Road in West Orange, NJ. The suspects were allegedly upset at the victim for the theft of $250 from a nightstand inside the residence
While the suspects held the victim captive, they reportedly said that they would kill him if he did not pay back the cash he had stolen. The victim later told authorities that the suspects finally agreed to release him when he promised to return with the stolen money.
The victim reportedly told West Orange police that he took the cash, but only because he had to reimburse himself for money that went missing from his wallet the night before. The victim also told authorities that the suspects took his cellphone and shoes.
Once the victim was freed, he alerted the West Orange Police Department. Police dispatched officers to the residence to investigate the kidnapping allegations.
According to authorities, the house was already under surveillance for several weeks because police believed that the residents were conducting illegal drug sales.
West Orange police gained access to the home and conducted a search, which reportedly turned up evidence of the kidnapping. Police also allegedly discovered a pellet gun, marijuana, cocaine, and ecstasy. The suspects were subsequently arrested and charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, terroristic threats, and weapons offenses.
Moreover, West Orange police arrested four other individuals at the house. They were allegedly found in possession of marijuana.
After being arrested and charged, the two primary suspects were taken to the Essex County Jail in Newark, New Jersey. They are each being held at the jail on separate $450,000 bail amounts.
For more information about this case, check out NJ.com article entitled “Duo Held Teen at Gunpoint for 13 Hours After $250 Dispute, Cops Say.”
