BALA CYNWYD, PA — A group of masked individuals lured a man to a Bala Cynwyd restaurant parking lot, forced him into a vehicle, and robbed him as they drove away. It wasn't the first time they did this, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, which announced charges against six people allegedly involved in the kidnapping.
The victim had been chatting online with who he believed was a 17-year-old girl named Samantha. He agreed to meet "Samantha" on June 27 outside LongHorn Steakhouse in Bala Cynwyd.
When he arrived, he was approached by three masked men in body armor. They identified themselves as police who were arresting him for "pedophilia," according to court documents.
The victim was handcuffed and forced into a vehicle, where the masked men stole his phone and wallet and began transferring money to accounts linked to their alleged criminal enterprise. They drove him to an ATM and forced him to withdraw more money before dropping him back off at the parking lot on City Avenue.
The victim reported the incident to Lower Merion Police the next day.
Investigators discovered that the masked men were part of a criminal enterprise called "ARP" ("Always Running Plays"), who had conducted multiple kidnappings, robberies and extortion schemes throughout Greater Philadelphia.
Detectives found that members of ARP targeted another victim through a similar scheme in 2024 and extorted over $100,000 from the victim over an extended period.
In a different incident, the organization lured another person to a meeting under the pretense of discussing money that the victim allegedly owed. At the location, one member wrapped a rope around the victim's neck while others threatened them with a firearm.
Investigators identified the masked men as Daquine Owens, Aysir Bond — both of Philadelphia — and Keith Cirwithen-Howell, of Dover, Delaware. All three men, plus three other Philadelphia residents face charges for their alleged roles in ARP.
Five of them are in custody, while a warrant has been issued for Bond.
All six defendants were charged with corrupt organizations and related offenses. Daquine Owens, Bond, Cirwithen-Howell and Johnson were also charged with kidnapping, robbery and theft by extortion.
Attorney information for the defendants wasn't immediately available in online court records.
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