Police: Baltimore Co. Man Kidnaps Tenant For $2,000
REISTERSTOWN, Md. (WJZ)— Police say a 29-year-old man kidnapped his 23-year-old tenant at gunpoint for $2,000.
Justin Earl Gorham, 29, of Reisterstown, has been charged with kidnapping, first-degree assault, and use of a firearm during a felony/violent crime. He is currently being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on $250,000 bail.
Just after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers responded to the Exxon station in the 11900-block of Reisterstown Road for a kidnapping.
Detectives learned that the suspect rents a room to the victim, where they both live. The two men also work together at a scrap metal salvage company in Carroll County.
During their shift on Oct. 3, the suspect accused the victim of overpaying for a load by approximately $2,000. He demanded that the victim pay him that amount of money but the victim denied overpaying for the load.
The argument continued when the men returned to their Reisterstown home. The suspect told the victim that he had to find somewhere else to stay. The victim asked the suspect to drive him to his brother's house. While inside the truck, the suspect displayed a handgun and told the victim to call his brother to get the $2,000. The victim called his brother, and they made arrangements to meet at the Exxon station.
The victim's brother called police, and officers were dispatched to the gas station. Responding officers observed the truck, a black 2007 Chevy Colorado truck, traveling on I-795 toward Carroll County. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, arrested the suspect and located the victim unharmed in the backseat. The gun was recovered inside the truck.
Charges are pending against the suspect.
