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Suspect Arrested In Kidnapping, Robbery Of Jewelers' Row Employee

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Authorities say one person has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping, attack and robbery of a Center City jewelry store employee, and the search continues for two others.

Officials say 31-year-old Khayree Gay was taken into custody in Lake City, South Carolina on Friday. He now faces federal robbery and kidnapping charges.

Authorities say the horrifying ordeal began around 4 p.m. on April 4 when the the 53-year-old victim left her job at a store on Jewelers' Row along the 100 block of South 8th Street, and walked to the parking lot across the street. That's where police say three men grabbed her and forced her into a van.

Investigators say her wrists and ankles were bound with zip-ties, and a hood was placed over her head. The kidnappers demanded the keys to the store and the code to the safe, which she didn't know.

Police say the woman was punched, kicked, choked and tasered seven times by her abductors.

The victim says she was dumped in Mount Lawn Cemetery, but the kidnappers soon returned, dragging her back into the van. The woman tells police she gave them her bank card's pin number, and they stopped several times to withdraw cash, before she was dropped off at the same spot near 84th Street and Lindberg Boulevard.

The victim was found by a passing motorist, who called police.

The investigation is ongoing.

 

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