St. Elizabeths Escapee Caught, Charged With Armed Kidnapping

WASHINGTON, DC — Metropolitan Police Department detectives arrested two men Wednesday in connection with an Oct. 7 armed kidnapping near the Washington Navy Yard, according to a police release. One of men arrested is Bernard Coleman III, 27, of Southeast, who was wanted after escaping St. Elizabeths Hospital on Sunday.

Around 4:12 a.m., on Wednesday, two men approached the victim inside of a residence in the 400 block of Chapin St., S.E. Armed with a taser and knife, the men assaulted and restrained the victim. They then forced the victim into the basement of the residence and took property from the home. One of the men fled the scene in the victim's vehicle. The victim was later treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

On Wednesday, MPD arrested William Edwards, 22, of Southeast, and charged him with armed kidnapping, armed robbery, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

Following an MPD investigation, members of the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Coleman. He was charged with armed kidnapping, armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, theft one (stolen auto), and theft two.

Coleman was wanted on a D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant for escaping from St. Elizabeths Hospital, where he was awaiting sentencing for voluntary manslaughter. MPD charged Coleman with escape from institution or officer.

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