A 32-year-old Camden man has been charged with kidnapping and aggravated assault after he was pulled over by township police at a motor-vehicle stop and tied to a kidnapping on May Avenue.
Officers were dispatched to a home in the 800 block of the avenue on Dec. 18 for a report of a 911 hang-up. According to the police dispatcher, a subject was heard in the background requesting help. Officers arrived at the home and got no answer at the door, but a witness reported seeing the 59-year-old male resident – who appeared to be injured – forced into the rear of a black Mercedes sedan allegedly driven by Lahquae St. Juste of Camden
Officers converged on the area a short distance away and the victim escaped, police said, but suffered severe injuries to his face and body after an alleged assault at his home and in the vehicle. St. Juste initially resisted arrest, police said, allegedly attempted to disarm two officers and bit another who was treated at a local hospital and released.
According to police, St. Juste had entered the victim’s home and demanded money. When he refused, St. Juste allegedly assaulted him and forced him into the sedan, then drove to Camden and unsuccessfully tried to withdraw the victim’s funds. He then drove back to the home after the victim told St. Juste he had money there.
St. Juste was charged with first-degree kidnapping and third-degree aggravated assault, second-degree attempt at disarming a law-enforcement officer, third-degree burglary and third-degree resisting arrest.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact Det. Thomas Warrington at (856) 845-6300 or email twarrington@deptford-nj.org.
