Columbus police were still on the lookout this morning for suspects in a Sunday robbery and kidnapping.
A Columbus man escaped from the trunk of his moving car early Sunday after he was robbed and kidnapped by two masked gunmen who are still on the loose.
The suspects, who were wearing black clothes and ski masks, broke into a house in the 1500 block of 13th Avenue North at about 3 a.m. and pulled black handguns on the two male victims inside, said Columbus Police Public Information Officer Terrie Songer.
The men demanded “everything” the victims had, including one victim”s car keys, Songer said. A brief scuffle ensued, allowing one victim to escape and call police from a neighbor”s house.
The other victim was assaulted and stowed in the trunk of his 2003 Honda Acura with his mouth taped, which the men then drove off in. He was able to loosen his bonds and pull the vehicle”s electrical wires to open the trunk.
Police found the car at 600 block of 22nd Street North in a wooded area near Morgan apartments at about 8:31 p.m. Sunday.
Police have named Lavento Shamon Fox, 26, of 1624 Fourth Ave. S., as a suspect in the case, Songer said. Fox, who was identified by a victim, was already wanted for missing a court hearing on a charge of failure to obey a police officer.
In a June incident, officers tried to arrest Lavento Fox on an outstanding warrant for contempt of court. His brother, Sugi Fox, 29, helped him escape but ended up in jail himself, facing charges of interfering with police duties, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Both Fox brothers have extensive arrest records. Lavento Fox has been arrested for burglary of an occupied dwelling, possession of a weapon by a felon and possession of cocaine. Sugi Fox has been arrested for murder, several assault charges, with and without a weapon, shooting into a dwelling and carrying a concealed weapon.
Songer said the suspects were not in custody as of this morning.
Anyone with information about the incident should call the Columbus Police Department at 662-244-3500 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.