Handyman Held Hostage In Morgan Hill, Compelled To Repair Dwelling
MORGAN HILL (CBS 5) – Two people who live in a large home in Morgan Hill were arrested on suspicion of taking a handyman hostage and forcing him to make repairs to the home.
Investigators said the 50-year-old victim was lured to a home in the 200 block of Caldwell Court Monday morning. The sprawling 4,600-square-foot home has five bedrooms and is equipped with a pool, beach volleyball court and tennis court.
“He was assaulted, his life was threatened and he was forced to do work in the house,” Sgt. Jose Cardoza of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office told CBS 5.
Investigators said 36-year-old Jason DeJesus and 33-year-old Chanelle Troedson beat the repairman, threatened to kill him and forced him to repair several items in the home over a six-hour period. Repairs included a dishwasher and a broken door.
“The victim was pretty scared. He was pretty shaken up and scared by this whole incident,” Cardoza said. “What he told investigators is that he was just trying to do what he was told, which was to wait for the opportunity to escape.”
On Monday evening, authorities said the suspects forced the repairman into his truck. While one of the suspects was driving, the victim was told they were going to the home of a suspect's relative in Santa Clara to make further repairs.
They stopped at a gas station on Santa Teresa Blvd. and Cottle Road in South San Jose. The repairman escaped as the suspects left to pay for gas and snacks. DeJesus and Troedson were arrested by police shortly afterwards.
Other residents of the home declined an interview with CBS 5.
Investigators said the repairman had done work for De Jesus' mother two months ago.
“The work was not carried out at that time to relatives of the suspect and, moreover, there was a dispute about the services provided, the victim was not paid in full. “That kind of impacted what happened last night,” Cardoza said.
DeJesus and Troedson are charged with multiple crimes, including false imprisonment, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and conspiracy.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Sgt. Julian Quinonez or Detective Sgt. Dave Roberts at the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office at (408) 808-4500. Tips can also be left anonymously at (408) 808-4431.
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