MEMPHIS, Tenn. — One of the suspects charged in a kidnapping in the High Point Terrace area has been arraigned on charges.
18-year-old Bryan Martinez was indicted Nov. 30 on charges of especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, theft, and evading arrest. During a court hearing Dec. 12, a public defender was assigned to the case. He remains in the Shelby County Jail on a bond of $375,000.
Martinez and a 16 and 17-year-old were arrested the night of the alleged kidnapping on June 21. Kidnapping charges were dropped against a fourth suspect.
The initial kidnapping
Investigators said it all began just before 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in the 3500 block of Phillwood Ave. near N. Highland St. They said the victim’s girlfriend told officers she couldn’t find him, and his truck had been ransacked.
According to a police report, officers found neighbors who had video, one of which they said showed that about 6:25 p.m., a white Nissan Murano pulled behind the victim’s truck and three people got out. They said the video was unclear, but moments later the three suspects and another man were seen walking from the truck to Murano and leaving.
According to the report, Officers checked out the victim’s home and workplace, but found no signs of forced entry and no one inside at either.
A City Watch Alert was issued, and investigators said they worked with family to find possible locations for the victim, whom they determined was last in the 2400 block of Chelsea Ave.
In the report, investigators said a family member told them several transactions from an account shared with the victim were being made at several Family Dollar locations. Officers checked video from the stores and got video of a suspect trying to buy a gift card.
Finding the suspects & victim
MPD said officers canvassed the area and found the Murano in the 1600 block of Ash St. When they tried to stop the car, MPD said the driver took off. Officers chased the car to the area of Chelsea Ave. and Wells Station Rd, where they said the victim was thrown out of the vehicle uninjured.
Investigators said the case continued until officers deployed stop sticks, and the car stopped in the 1200 block of North Graham. They said four suspects took off running, and officers were able to find three of them hiding near the back of Kingsbury High School campus and the neighboring area using K9 and Aviation units. Police said one suspect was taken to Regional One Hospital with a minor injury.
After the chase, according to the affidavit, police found guns, cash, car window breakers, and vape products.
Investigators said they determined the Murano the suspects used had been stolen on June 17, 2023, in Cordova, and used in several car break-ins that same day.
The victim's statement
According to the affidavit for Martinez, the victim told police that two armed suspects had taken a laptop and backpack from his vehicle then forced him into the Murano where two more armed suspects were waiting. He said the suspects forced him to transfer money from his savings to checking account, then took him to various ATMs and stores. He told investigators, according to the affidavit, that the suspects stole $1,200 and also took him to a vape store where they bought a bunch of vape products. He told police the suspects hit him in the head and threatened to kill him.
The charges against the suspects
Martinez is charged with especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, theft, and evading arrest.
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.