An Ohio man is accused of kidnapping and torturing a younger man for several days before the victim escaped in a stolen ambulance.
Christopher Edwards, 38, was charged with felonious assault and kidnapping after a 22-year-old man accused him of locking him in a dog cage and torturing him. WHIO reported that Edwards’ arrest came after a search warrant was executed at a Clearcreek home, though it is not immediately known what was found.
On Saturday, Clearcreek Township police responded to Clearcreek Fire District Station 22 amid reports of a stolen emergency medical service vehicle. Sergeant Wallace Stacy said responding officers discovered broken glass and confirmed that one of the emergency vehicles was gone, according to WLWT.
In case someone saw one of our ambulances driving erratically today.
Posted by Clearcreek Fire District, Springboro OH on Saturday, October 19, 2019
The injured victim was reportedly found miles away at Dayton Children’s Hospital. Stacy said the victim revealed he was held captive and tortured in a Clearcreek home for several days before he escaped to the firehouse and stole the ambulance.
According to WCPO, Clearcreek Township Sergeant Wallace Stacy confirmed on Tuesday that Edwards knew the victim in a previous criminal case. Edwards’s girlfriend, identified as Brittany Russell, was shot and killed in 2016. Their child was found unharmed in a vehicle with Russell’s body inside, parked at an apartment complex in Dayton.
Edwards was never considered a suspect in Russell’s slaying. Brandon Carr, 35, was imprisoned for life for the murder while Curtis Howard Burdette, 39, is serving a 25-year maximum sentence in connection with her death.
It is unclear how the kidnapping victim escaped, but WHIO noted that he was held captive in a home across the street from the firehouse.
Though Edwards is the only one who has been charged for the alleged kidnapping and torture, court documents asserted that he had help from others.
“At this time, we are looking at other suspects. There may be other suspects and other charges pending,” Stacy told WLWT.
Police told the news station that the victim remains hospitalized and is not coherent enough to speak with them about the ordeal.
Edwards remains jailed on $350,000 bond. He is due back in court on October 29.
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[Featured image: Christopher Edwards/Warren County Jail]
