Police: 2 arrested in kidnapping of veteran, girlfriend

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Authorities say two people have been arrested in the kidnapping case of an 86-year-old veteran and his girlfriend in Southwest Philadelphia.

25-year-old Damon Cornish of the 5900 block of 21st Street and 23-year-old Vashti Williams of the 500 block of South 56th Street were taken into custody.

Cornish has been charged with theft and unauthorized use of an auto. Williams is charged with robbery, criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and related offenses.

More arrests are expected.

Authorities say three women kidnapped the veteran and his girlfriend in Southwest Philadelphia then opened a bank account and rented cars in the victim's name.

55-year-old Priscilla Jones doesn't know the trio of women who had a small child with them.

The suspects allegedly abducted her and her 86-year-old boyfriend George Saunders.

Saunders is a Korean War veteran with a double knee replacement.

Both victims use canes and walkers and are new to their Southwest Philadelphia neighborhood.

The couple went on a walk Thursday morning when a gray Town and Country pulled up next to them.

"The driver of the car asked them if they need a ride, they say no, the driver gets out, opens the sliding door gets out and with the assistance of the other females in the car push him in," said Lt. Johnnie Walker, Philadelphia Police.

Police say a woman inside took the veteran inside the TD Bank branch at 4th and Market streets.

Authorities say the woman pretended the victim was her father who wanted to open a debit card account.

The suspect put $600 of her own money on the car, headed to Hertz rental car at 17th and the Parkway and rented a gray Dodge Charger in Saunders name.

However at that point, the victim had enough.

"I told them, 'I'm tired, I'm ready to go,' but they were determined to go where they wanted to go," said Saunders.

Instead investigators say the women, now driving in separate cars and at high speeds, went to a Hertz on Bartram Road near Philadelphia International Airport.

The suspects rented a 2015 Chevy Silverado - again in Saunders' name.

Finally around 5:00 p.m., they dropped the couple of 14 years off at home.

"Their motivation was to rent these cars and probably use them for criminal activity because you put them in an 86-year-old person's name," said Lt. Walker.

Even though they were unarmed, police say the suspects prey on the elderly and are master manipulators.

"I would tell anybody who gets caught up like me to stop and the first policeman you see - tell them keep yourself out of trouble," said Saunders.

One rental car was recovered Friday night by Pennsylvania State Police at Belmont and Montgomery with a man and woman inside.

The other rental car was recovered by New Jersey State Police in Cranbury.

Lt. Walker says older people are often targeted because they are trusting and then embarrassed to report they've been victimized.

Investigators believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information is urged to contact 215-686-TIPS (8477).