I have been informed by our Criminal Investigations Unit that the charges against Tommy Lancaster, listed in the below press release, have been dismissed. Detectives continue to investigate the incident in question. No further details are available at this time.
A 20 year old Marathon man was arrested today, charged with kidnapping a teen on Sunday, beating and robbing him.
Deputy Orey Swilley responded to Ocotillo Lane on Sunday at 8:45 p.m. to a report of a young man claiming to have been “jumped”. When he arrived, he found the 17 year old victim with injures. The victim told him he’d been attacked as he walked on the sidewalk by the IHOP Restaurant. He said four men grabbed him, dragged him into a car and choked him into unconsciousness. He said he didn’t remember anything else until he woke up on Ocotillo Lane.
The victim was taken to Fishermen’s Hospital, where he became uncooperative and hostile with hospital employees.
Detective Amanda Coleman was assigned to investigate. During interviews with the victim, he told her he was afraid to discuss details of the attack with her because he feared the suspect would kill him. The detective finally convinced the victim to tell her the details of what happened.
The victim said he was walking near 65th Street in Marathon when 20 year old Tommy Lancaster pulled up in a car with another man the victim could not identify. He said Lancaster pointed a gun at him and told him to get in the car. He complied. Lancaster drove to a remote area where he beat and threatened the victim. The victim said he eventually became unconscious. He said he woke up on the ground at the end of Ocotillo Lane. His jewelry, wallet and cell phone had been stolen.
The detective obtained a warrant for Lancaster’s arrest. Early today, Sgt. Nick Whiteman spotted Lancaster driving a light blue Toyota near 63rdStreet. He pulled the car over and arrested Lancaster on the warrant. Lancaster was booked into jail on charges of kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery and grand theft.