Two Charged with Kidnapping Elderly Warren County Man

An elderly man was kidnapped at knifepoint Tuesday in Smithville and then forced to withdraw funds from his bank account at an ATM machine. The man’s abductors later drove him to McMinnville where he made his escape and called police.
29 year old Amanda Maxwell of 717 Fisher Avenue is charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, theft over $1,000, and aggravated assault. Her bond is $85,000.
31 year old Charles Wayne Reagan of Smithville is charged with aggravated kidnapping and theft over $1,000.
Both are to appear in DeKalb County General Sessions Court on November 21.
The case was investigated by Lieutenant Detective Matt Holmes and Detective Brandon Donnell of the Smithville Police Department.
According to Lieutenant Holmes, Maxwell telephoned the 81 year old victim, an acquaintance, and asked him to come to her Smithville home to talk with her. The victim, who lives in Warren County, drove to Maxwell’s home on Fisher Avenue. As he arrived and entered the residence, Maxwell allegedly attacked the man from behind and forced him at knifepoint (boxcutter) back into his car, a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix. As the victim sat on the front passenger seat, Maxwell drove to ATM machines at two local banks where the man was forced to withdraw cash from his account. Maxwell allegedly got $300 as a result of the crime.
In an attempt to get more money from the victim at another bank ATM, police believe Maxwell picked up Reagan at her home and the two of them drove the elderly man at knifepoint to McMinnville, according to Detective Donnell. But as they got to McMinnville and stopped at a traffic light, the victim bailed out of the car and escaped. Maxwell, the driver, got out and ran after him but the victim managed to get to a phone and called 911. McMinnville Police were first alerted but they then contacted the Smithville Police Department. Reagan, who was in the back seat of the victim’s car, got into the front seat and drove away. Police believe he abandoned the vehicle somewhere. At last report the car had not been located.
Maxwell and Reagan later made it back to Smithville and stayed the night at a local motel, apparently in an attempt to hide from police. They returned to Maxwell’s home on Wednesday where police found the two and brought them in for questioning.
The victim, who was hurt as he jumped from the car in making his escape, was not believed to have suffered any life threatening injuries in the encounter with his abductors.