Oct. 11--A Chatham man helped kidnap and rob three men who were lured to a Chatham apartment using social media, according to prosecutors and records.
Vernon Buie, 36, was identified by two different victims as being a participant in their armed robbery.
On July 30, a juvenile who is also charged in the case messaged a 30-year old victim and arranged to meet at an apartment near 79th Street and Prairie Avenue, prosecutors said.
A man identified in court records as Johnny Harris, 35, robbed the victim of his wallet and money, then allowed him to leave, prosecutors said.
On Aug. 12, the juvenile messaged another victim who came over to the same apartment on 79th Street and Prairie Avenue, prosecutors said. Buie and Harris were there.
At first, the victim gave an incorrect ATM personal identification number to the robbers, prosecutors said, but he was beaten until he gave up the correct PIN. About $2,500 was withdrawn from the victim's bank account, prosecutors said.
The victim was beaten with a glass bottle and a baseball bat, prosecutors said.
After a third victim arrived, prosecutors said the robbers placed the second victim into the closet while they robbed the third victim.
Buie is charged with armed robbery and aggravated kidnapping, court records show.
Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil set bond for Buie at $400,000. Harris, Buie's co-defendant in the case, received the same bond earlier this month, court records show.
Harris also faces aggravated kidnapping and robbery charges, court records show.
gpratt@tribpub.com
