Two men were arraigned in connection to a kidnapping that involved the home of an NYPD officer in Springfield Gardens.
Hakeem Clark and Jason Hutson were charged Saturday with kidnapping Brian Karikari and holding him for ransom. Karikari was walking to his car in front of 119-45 234 Street early in the morning of July 27 when he was held at gunpoint, forced into a vehicle and driven to a garage located at 141-37 181st Street, according to court records.
Calls demanding a $75,000 ransom for the victim were traced to the same 181st Street address where Detective Ondre Johnson, a 17-year member of the NYPD, lives, said media reports. He has not been charged, but has been suspended without pay pending further investigation.
Clark also lives at the same address. Johnson denies any involvement in the kidnapping, and doesn’t use the garage, reports said.
The two suspects have also been charged with criminal possession of forgery devices and unlawful possession of personal identification information. They are being held without bail.
