Man sentenced to 14 years for jewelry store worker kidnap, torture

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Monday, February 29, 2016
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PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A man accused of kidnapping and torturing a Center City jewelry store employee was sentenced to 14-years behind bars Monday.

Khayree Gay pleaded guilty to conspiracy, kidnapping and attempted robbery charges.

Authorities say the victim was beaten, tied up and dumped at a cemetery after she didn't know the code to the store's safe.

Basil Buie was sentenced to 15 years behind bars and Salahudin Shaheed was sentenced to 30 years for the April 4, 2015 attack.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Shaheed recruited Buie and Gay to rob National Watch and Diamond Exchange. Their goal was allegedly to obtain luxury watches, jewelry, and money.

Authorities say the trio conducted surveillance on the store and its employees from a nearby parking lot. Then they allegedly targeted an employee as she approached her car in a garage.

Authorities said Shaheed and Buie, wearing masks, gloves, and sunglasses, confronted the victim. Shaheed then assaulted her with a Taser and the trio kidnapped her, they said.

Prosecutors said the victim suffered traumatic brain injury, memory loss and partial vision loss.

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Information from The Associated Press was used in this post.