A man who was arrested for his alleged role in the abduction, torturing and dumping of a woman in a Philadelphia cemetery appeared in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing.
Khayree Gay, 31, of Philadelphia was in court for less than five minutes during the hearing. Gay does not have an attorney but plans on getting one. He is charged with robbery and kidnapping.
Gay was arrested April 10 in a South Caroline motel for his role in the kidnapping and beating of a 53-year-old woman, police said.
Gay, along with two other abductors, grabbed the woman from a parking garage at 8th and Chestnut streets on April 4, forced her into a cargo van, zip-tied her wrists, shackled her ankles and covered her head with a hood, according to police.
Surveillance video released by an area store showed the woman, who had just left her job at National Watch & Diamond on Jeweler's Row, walking to the garage.
Once the suspects grabbed her and put her in the van, they demanded keys to the jewelry store and codes to the safe, investigators said. Unable to provide either, the victim told police she was then tortured and shocked with a Taser before the men dumped her — still bound — at Montlawn Cemetery at Hook Road near Lindbergh Boulevard in Delaware County.
Her ordeal was not over yet, however.
The captors returned to the cemetery, forced her back into the van and then drove her around using her ATM card to make four withdrawals before dumping her back at the cemetery, where she was able to eventually remove the hood, make her way to Hook Road and flag down a driver who called 911.
She was treated at Penn Presbyterian Hospital for bruises, contusions and a concussion, according to police. She is currently recovering at home.
According to an affidavit, Gay surveyed National Watch and even spoke to the victim, taking her business card, the day before the abduction. Police also believe Gay disposed of the burgundy van shortly after the abduction.
Police are still searching for at least two more suspects connected to the robbery and abduction. Both the Mayor's Office and ATF are offering $10,000 rewards bringing the total to $20,000. If you have any information on the case, please call Philadelphia Police or 1-800-ATF-GUNS.
