A trial has been scheduled for a man and woman who are accused of kidnapping and beating a man in Zion and demanding ransom for his release.
Devon D. Davidson, 29, and Nyesha A. Hill, 38, both of Zion, were indicted on two counts of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated unlawful restraint, and two counts of aggravated battery.
The victim was dog sitting Hill’s dogs when a burglary supposedly occurred at Hill’s residence on June 20, now-former Zion Police Chief Kirk Henderson said at the time of the incident.
Davidson and Hill forced the victim into the trunk of Davidson’s car following the incident, Henderson said.
A grand jury indictment alleges that the two beat the victim with a metal pole and strangled him. The indictment said that the suspects demanded money for the man’s release.
At one point, the two suspects opened the trunk to duct tape the victim’s hands and feet, Henderson said.
The victim was able to escape and run to a nearby house where he asked the resident to call the police.
Arrest warrants for both suspects were issued several days after the incident. The Lake County Sheriff’s Warrants Team and Special Investigations Group conducted surveillance at Hill and Davidson’s residence.
Davidson was arrested at a gas station in the 39000 block of North Lewis Avenue in Beach Park, while Hill was arrested after exiting her home.
Both have remain held in the Lake County Jail. Hill appeared in court on May 5 and Davidson appeared in court on Friday.
A judge set a jury trial for June 14.