Benton County Sheriff Rick Fajen says law enforcement officers in the Kansas City area called his office on Sept. 13. They were investigating the armed kidnapping of a 22-year-old man from a home in Independence. Someone saw that man being assaulted in a vehicle leaving that home's neighborhood.
The father of the kidnapping victim received a call that was traced to a home in Edwards, southeast of Warsaw. Benton County sheriff's deputies and state troopers went to that home, arrested two people, and rescued the kidnapping victim. He was badly beaten and needed medical treatment.
Sheriff Fajen says the victim told officers that his kidnappers told him that he was going to be killed. He said he was beaten with fists, firearms and a hammer, and lost consciousness.
Three people have been charged with the kidnapping and assault in Jackson County. He said more state and federal charges are possible. Independence police believe the kidnappers are members of Biker Gang, which operates in the Kansas City area.
