NEAR FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) — Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies are seeking the public’s help in locating a man who was beaten and abducted near Fort Lauderdale.
Detectives said 43-year-old Kevin Lee was assaulted and held against his will at a Shell gas station located at 2701 W. Sunrise Blvd. at around 12 p.m., Tuesday.
Surveillance video captured Lee with a metal chain wrapped tightly around his neck and hands, being led by two men inside the gas station’s convenience store. One of the subjects is seen slapping lee squarely on the forehead, knocking him to the ground.
BSO officials said the two men, later identified as 36-year-old Kenneth Douglas and 31-year-old Terrail Jenkins, restrained Lee and took him in their vehicle as they fled the scene.
Deputies located the vehicle and took both of the alleged kidnappers into custody.
“We located one of the suspects in the vehicle. Shortly after that, we located the second suspect,” said BSO spokesperson Keyla Concepcion. “The only person that we have been unable to locate is the victim in this case.”
Douglas and Jenkins appeared in court on Wednesday morning and were denied bond.
Attorneys for the suspects said Lee stole their property, and they were just trying to get it back.
Attorneys added that it was never their clients’ intent to cause bodily harm or terrorize.
But after watching the surveillance video, Broward Circuit Judge Jackie Powell did not buy that argument.
“So a person chained several times, with chains and chains around his hands, and being dragged and pushed into a car by someone is not grounds for finding for kidnapping? Is that what you say?” she said.
Lee’s whereabouts remain unknown, and detectives said they fear he could be injured and in need of medical assistance.
Detectives believe Lee was homeless in the Fort Lauderdale area. He is described as standing approximately 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds.
If you have any information on Lee’s whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
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