Photo: Confiscated assault rifle
BERKELEY — Five erstwhile “holidaymakers” from South Carolina are now receiving complimentary accommodations behind bars inside Berkeley City Jail.
What did they do to deserve such hospitality from the city of Berkeley? They’re each accused of beating and kidnapping a 21-year-old man last weekend near the U.C. Berkeley campus.
The victim was reported kidnapped July 28 at approximately 10 p.m. from Knights Inn, 1512 University Avenue.
A friend of the victim reported the kidnapping to Berkeley police and said they were demanding $30,000. He told police the kidnappers wanted the ransom brought to a location near Tracy.
They drove the victim 80 miles away to Patterson and held captive there, until police rescued him several hours later. The victim apparently suffered only minor injuries during his ordeal.
Patterson police coordinated his rescue. They received information from Berkeley police, and help from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department.
During the victim’s rescue, police located an assault rifle inside the trunk of a car allegedly used by the kidnappers.
Consequently, Berkeley police took custody of all five kidnapping suspects. Then they took all five back to Berkeley, where they remain incarcerated—with bail denied.
Three suspects from Greenville, SC, remain in custody: 27-year-old Jamikaco T. Thompson; 24-year-old Racal J. Thompson; and 20-year-old Rodquavious M. Whitehurst.
Additionally, two other suspects from Fountain Inn, SC, are: 27-year-old Vacenta R. Rice, and 19-year-old Antravious M. Evans.
In conclusion, All five face charges for kidnapping, torture, first degree robbery, and illegal possession of an assault rifle.
