Updated Saturday, April 14, 2007 – 9:00 p.m.
Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Park Forest Police Chief Tom Fleming issued an updated press release Saturday evening in reference to the alleged kidnapping by Lester Muhammad of a 24 year old victim from Tamarack St. Two men have been charged in the case
According to the updated report, on Thursday, April 12th, 2007 at 11:05 p.m., Park Forest Police patrol units responded to a single family residence in the 400 block of Tamarack St, Will County, in reference to an armed home invasion and kidnapping. Responding units learned from the family that the offender, a former boyfriend, thirty year old, Lester Muhammad, had forced in the front door, allegedly menacing family members with a handgun and forced the twenty four year old female victim at gunpoint into his vehicle and fled the scene.
Park Forest Police Investigators and Tactical Officers responded to the crime scene and worked throughout the early morning hours to locate the victim. It was discovered that the victim had recently ended a dating relationship with the Muhammad who is currently on parole with the Illinois Department of Corrections. The offender’s vehicle was located in the parking lot of the Colony Apartments on Steger Road in Steger, Illinois. Police learned that the offender regularly frequents two different apartments. At approximately 2:30 a.m., PFPD Investigators set up a surveillance of two apartment buildings in the complex. During that time the Will County States Attorney’s Office was consulted and advised of the situation.
Midmorning on Friday, at 10:15 a.m., the investigating team located the hostage and initiated a tactical rescue and assaulted both apartments consecutively. The victim was located and rescued from the second apartment. She was being held in a bedroom by the offender. Also located in that bedroom was the apartment occupant, 24 year old, Brandon Williams of 315 West 35th St. Apt. 210, Steger, and the four year old son of Muhammad (no relation to the victim). Investigators seized a loaded pistol grip shotgun, a loaded AR-15 assault rifle, $10,000 United States Currency and a quantity of cocaine and cannabis from the bedroom, according to the report.
The victim was physically unharmed and reunited with her family. Muhammad and the second subject were transported to the Park Forest Police Station. The child was placed in the custody of his grandfather and the Department of Children and Family Services has been notified.
Saturday evening, the Will County States Attorney’s Office has approved the following charges:
| Lester Muhammad/ 30 years old |  |
|
| Aggravated Kidnapping | Class X Felony | |
| Armed Home Invasion | Class X Felony | |
| Possession of Cocaine | Felony | |
| Aggravated Assault | ||
| Domestic Battery | ||
| Possession of Cannabis |
| Brandon Williams / 24 years old |  |
| Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon (two counts) | |
| Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon | |
| Traffic Warrant served | |
Both offenders will be transported to the Will County Jail and will appear before a Judge on Monday.
eNews Park Forest will update this story as more information becomes available.
Source: Park Forest Police Department Press Release
Photographs: Park Forest Police Department
