MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Kidnapping charges against one of four suspects arrested in connection with a kidnapping in the High Point Terrance area have been dismissed. He still faces weapons and theft charges.
Kenneth Bynum, 19, was originally arrested and charged with theft of property in the amount of $2500 to $10,000, theft of property in the amount of $10,000 to $60,000, aggravated robbery, especially aggravated kidnapping, possession of a firearm and evading arrest. Those charges were dismissed Aug. 9, 2023, due to "lack of prosecution," according to court records.
Court records show charges of theft and and prohibited weapons have been sent to the grand jury. Investigators said those charges came about after a search of Bynum's home following his arrest turned up a Glock stolen out of Ripley, Tennessee, which had been modified to fully automatic. Bynum is out of jail after posting $12,500 bond.
Kidnapping charges against one of the other suspects in the High Point Terrace incident, Bryan Martinez, were sent to the grand jury in July.
The kidnapping
Memphis Police Department (MPD) said a man was kidnapped Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in the 3500 block of Phillwood Ave. near N. Highland St.
The victim’s girlfriend told officers she couldn’t find him, and his truck had been ransacked, MPD said.
According to surveillance video, the victim was seen being forced into a Nissan Murano with a black hood over his head, and three suspects were seen fleeing the scene with the victim.
The victim was later found safe.
The charges against the other suspects
Bryan Martinez,18, is charged with especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, evading arrest on foot, theft of property $10,000-$60,000, and intentionally evading arrest in an automobile. Martinez is being held on a $375,000 bond and the case was sent to the grand jury.
A 16-year-old boy is charged with especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, theft of property $10,000 - $60,000, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and evading arrest on foot.
A 17-year-old male was charged with especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, theft of property $10,000 to $60,000, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, evading arrest on foot, and theft of a firearm.
The initial kidnapping
Memphis Police Department responded to an abduction call in the 3500 block of Philwood Ave. Wednesday, June 21 at 7:03 p.m.
Officers pursued a vehicle that matched the description of the Nissan Muraneo, and they attempted to make a traffic stop. The vehicle first refused to stop, and a chase began, the affidavit said. While on a chase, the vehicle slowed down and MPD saw a man exit the vehicle. The man was identified as the victim, the affidavit said.
The pursuit ended at the back of Kingsbury High School, and four suspects bailed out of the Nissan Murano and fled on foot, the affidavit said.
According to the affidavit, officers found an orange backpack with a 9mm Glock 48, a 9 mm Smith and Wesson handgun, a Glock magazine with about 19 rounds, $350 in cash, red and orange car window breakers, and a lot of vape products all scattered in a field where the suspects ran off.
After running the tags on the Nissan Murano, MPD determined the car was reported stolen from Cordova area on June 17.
Three of the four suspects were arrested at the rear of Kingsbury High School. Bynum was arrested Tuesday, July 11.
