D.C. police are searching for a man they said kidnapped another man in Georgetown and forced him to withdraw money from ATMs and buy big-ticket items at retail stores in D.C. and Maryland.
About 3:20 p.m. Thursday, the victim, a Georgetown University student, was walking in the 3400 block of O Street, Northwest, when a man approached him, asking him for money, police said. Before the student could answer, the man grabbed him and forced him into a vehicle.
The man then drove the victim to multiple ATMs along Wisconsin Avenue between Tenleytown and Friendship Heights and tried to force the victim to withdraw money. The man also tried to make at least two large purchases at stores along the same route.
Police released a video on Friday that showed the man in what appears to be a jewelry store. The video also showed the man's vehicle, a light gray or silver SUV or crossover style vehicle.
The man released the victim after none of the transactions went through, police said.
Police said the kidnapper is described as a white man in his late 30s to 40s. He is about 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall, with a medium build, dark colored hair, a dark colored mustache and beard. He was last seen wearing a black suit, black shirt, gray neck tie and black shoes.
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Two former secretaries of state, John Kerry and Madeline Albright, live near the block where the alleged kidnapping happened.
“We’ve always felt pretty safe around here,” said resident Maggie Nemecz. “Our neighbor right here was John Kerry, so there was lots of Secret Service, but now that he’s not there anymore, it might be a little different."
Despite being troubled by the crime, there are still residents who feel safe in the area.
“I’ve lived here for five years, and I’ve always felt safe,” said resident Marina Paul. “Obviously when you live in a city, you’re always on the lookout.”
Police are asking anyone who can identify the man to call police at (202) 727-9099 or text a tip to the department's text tip line at 50411.
