A Brooksville man is accused of kidnapping and robbing a foreign businessman.
Patrick Roby, 39, 102 Phillip Loop St., was charged with robbery and kidnapping Tuesday, according to a press release from the Columbus Police Department. CPD officers arrested Roby at a local motel at about 1 a.m. after the victim called police.
Roby allegedly approached the victim, a Japanese man visiting Columbus on a business trip, in the Leigh Mall parking lot at about 6 p.m. Monday. Roby got into the passenger seat of the victim’s rental car and tried to tell the victim where to drive, but the victim didn’t understand Roby’s demands because of a language barrier, according to the press release. Roby took the victim’s keys when the two stopped at a gas station and then drove to an ATM where he allegedly forced the victim to withdraw cash and give it to him. About 90 minutes later, Roby forced the victim to use his credit card to rent a room, police said.
Municipal court affidavits say that before Roby took the victim to the motel, he drove them to an unknown neighborhood. Roby made the victim get into the back seat of the car and placed a towel over his head before demanding more money. The court documents allege Roby took a total of $450 from the victim.
The victim is unharmed, according to the press release, but affidavits say he was in fear for his life during the kidnapping. Roby never showed a weapon, according to police.
Macon Police Department also has a warrant out for Roby’s arrest for robbery, Macon police chief Lucious Mason confirmed.
Roby is in custody at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center. His total bond was set at $250,000 — including $150,000 for kidnapping and $100,000 for robbery.
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