Athens —
Three men, arrested by Athens Police in October 2012 for allegedly taking a man against his will and forcing him to withdraw money from an ATM machine, were indicted by a Henderson County grand jury last week.
True bills were returned against Al Gene Fulton, 29, Lamontoe D. Rodriguez, 18, and Bryson Bowman, 17, on charges of aggravated kidnapping and robbery.
According to Athens Police Department reports, at about 4:45 a.m. on September 29, a group of men approached a Frankston resident on Jonathan Street and surrounded him.
They took his wallet, keys and cell phone and forced him to get in his car. The victim told police that the three men got in the car with him and told him to drive to an ATM machine where he was ordered to withdraw all of his money in exchange for his life and release.
Police reports state the victim complied with demands and withdrew the maximum available at the ATM location. He was told to withdraw more money from his account, but the second attempted transaction was denied. The suspects then transported him to a second ATM where he made an additional unsuccessful attempt to withdraw money.
Finally, the subjects drove the victim to a location on the west side of Athens where they assaulted him briefly and left with his vehicle.
APD began investigating the offense and was able to obtain video surveillance from the ATM machines which helped identify the three men involved in the kidnapping.
Detective Cpl. James Bonnette obtained warrants on the suspects, who were arrested a few days later.
Local News
Kidnapping suspects indicted
Robbery charges added for trio who forced man to withdraw money from ATM
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