'You Gotta Die' Pair Allegedly Told Farmington Hills Kidnap Victim

Joshua Miller, 18, of Farmington Hills, and Jasmine McReynolds, 21, of Farmington, were ordered to stand trial in the Jan. 21abduction of a Ingrid Ellerbe. (Photos courtesy of Farmington Hills Police Department)

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A Farmington Hills woman gave a chilling account of her abduction last month as she testified in the preliminary examinations of the two people charged in her Jan. 21 kidnapping.

Ingrid Ellerbe, 40, testified in that her fingers were broken when she tried to shield her head from hammer blows,that her assailants tried to strangle her with a cell phone cord, and that they covered her head with a plastic bag, then stuffed in her mouth in an attempt to killer her.

Farmington Hills District Court Judge Brady ordered Joshua Miller, 18, of Farmington Hills, and Jasmine McReynolds, 21, of Farmington, bound over for trial in connection with the woman’s kidnapping, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Each is charged with assault with intent to murder, armed robbery and carjacking – all punishable by up to life in prison – as well as with unlawful imprisonment and home invasion.

Ellerbe said she feared for her life during the ordeal. When she pleaded for her life, Miller reportedly said, “No, you gotta die, you gotta die.” Later he said, “Rest in peace.”

Ellerbe said she didn’t know her attackers, who were waiting for her inside the lobby of her building in the Fairmont Park Apartments complex near Nine Mile and Drake Roads. She said she was hit over the head with a hammer and Miller remained with her in the lobby, holding his hand over her mouth to muffle her screams, while McReynolds went into Ellerbe’s apartment.

She was later forced into her vehicle, where she alleged Miller attempted to choke her as McReynolds drove around the complex. She managed to escape once, but slipped on the ice and Miller caught up with her. He allegedly struck her over the head several times with the hammer, breaking her fingers.

“They were just annoyed that it was taking so long to kill me – that’s how I felt,” Ellerbe said.

A neighbor who heard her screams and asked her if she was OK. Miller and McReynolds fled in the vehicle.

Ellerbe was hospitalized and has undergone surgery to treat her injuries. More medical care will be required, she said.

Acting on a citizen’s tip, the two were arrested two days later. Ellerbe’s purse, credit cards and other items believed to have been taken from her were recovered. Miller and McReynolds are being held in the Oakland County Jail on $50,000 bond each.

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