Baltimore County Police have charged a Reisterstown man with kidnapping his roommate after an argument over money.
Justin Earl Gorham, 29, of the 11800 block of Maren Court in Reisterstown, was charged with kidnapping, first-degree assault and use of a firearm during a felony/violent crime. He is currently being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on $250,000 bail, police said.
Police said the victim, 23, and Gorham work together at a scrap metal company in Carroll County and are also roommates in Reisterstown.
At 9:33 p.m., officers said they were called to the Exxon station in the 11900 block of Reisterstown Road in Reisterstown for a kidnapping report. A man had called 911 and told police a relative was kidnapped by an acquaintance who demanded money for the victim’s return, according to a press release.
Officers found the suspect’s vehicle on I-795 headed towards Carroll County, stopped the vehicle and arrested Gorham. The victim was inside the vehicle and unharmed, police said.
Police said the incident stemmed from an argument between the two men.
During their shift Wednesday, Gorham accused the victim of overpaying for a load by about $2,000, according to a police press release.
Police said Gorham demanded that the victim pay him the amount that was allegedly overpaid; the victim denied overpayment.
They continued to argue when they arrived at their home in Reisterstown, police said.
At that point, Gorham told his roommate he had to find another place to stay, according to police.
The victim asked Gorham to drive him to his brother’s house, according to a release.
While inside the truck, police said Gorham displayed a handgun and “told the victim to call his brother to get the $2,000.”
The brother called police and officers arrived at the Exxon station, according to a release.
Police said they saw a black 2007 Chevy Colorado truck travelling on I-795 towards Carroll County, which they then stopped. Police also recovered a gun, they said.
