3 charged in connection to alleged kidnapping, robbery near St. Louis

Three people have been charged in connection to a September kidnapping and assault in Missouri, according to authorities in St. Louis County.

The alleged assault happened between Sept. 13 and 19 in Wildwood, a city about 30 miles west of St. Louis, according to the St. Louis County Police Department, who is leading the investigation.

Two of the people involved, Melissa Faix and Robert Crutcher, both 36, went to the victim’s home in mid September, where they saw another man named Cejay Young pistol whip the victim, authorities said in a news release.

Faix and Crutcher are accused of taking two ATV vehicles from the home, as well as a 9 mm pistol, police said. The pair took the items to their Crutcher’s home, where authorities found the ATVs. Faix's vehicle was also on the property and police found the pistol inside, they said in a news release.

Faix and Crutcher, both convicted felons, were charged last Wednesday, police said. Faix was charged with two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, while Crutcher was charged with two counts of stealing a motor vehicle, one count of stealing a firearm and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. 

But the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said another man was involved, Cejay Young. He was charged on Sept. 20 with one count of first-degree kidnapping, one count of second-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action, one count of unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary, authorities said.

It was not clear Monday morning who is representing the trio in court.

Victim was beaten each day for nearly a week, probable cause statement shows

Authorities said the incident began on Sept. 12 when someone the victim knew let Young into his home. The next day, the victim noticed his credit cards and $100 was missing from his wallet, according to a probable cause statement.

Later that day, Young began punching the victim, then pulled out a gun and pointed it at him, the statement read. According to the statement, Young forced the victim to go into a bathroom and said if he left, he’d kill him.

The defendant then had two other people come over who took items from the victim, including guns. Young also allegedly destroyed the victim's TV, five laptops and other items. According to the statement, Young wouldn’t let the victim leave or call the police.

On. Sept. 19, police were investigating a different crime and showed up to the victim’s home, the statement read. The victim then told police there was a man in his house holding him hostage. The man said he would kill the victim and his dogs, according to the statement.

An officer called for backup and that’s when Young fled the scene. Officers chased him for more than 3 hours. Once caught, Young admitted he ran from police, authorities said.

According to the statement, Young spent the nearly week-long incident beating the victim, and at one point, the victim’s nose was bleeding and Young made him clean up the blood. He is also accused of forcing the victim to take pills at night to go to sleep, the statement read.

Prior to police arriving at the victim’s home, Young told the victim he was going to take him to an ATM to get money and “maybe we won't kill you,” the probable cause statement said.

Young is being held without bond while Faix and Crutcher are being held on a $250,000 cash only bond.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her at[email protected].