DETROIT – A Detroit man in his 60s is recovering in the hospital after a harrowing ordeal that sounds like something out of a movie.
His SUV was set on fire while he was kidnapped and tied up inside.
Investigators are combing through clues to solve the mystery on Monday (Sept. 1).
The charred remains of the vehicle were found on the 18000 block of Mt. Elliott Street.
Flames engulfed the SUV, creating a dangerous and fiery scene.
Police told Local 4 that the man was outside of his building in the 8700 block of Vernor West when he was taken against his will.
According to the man and police reports, he was abducted around 5 a.m. and taken nearly 10 miles away to the 18000 block of Mt. Elliott Street.
Barry Smith, a nearby resident, heard the explosion Monday morning.
“I didn’t think nothing of it. I’m just thinking that somebody you know, stole a truck and trying to burn it up. But then when the ambulance came and the police were here, I knew it was something more than that, because the police and ambulance don’t come just for a burning truck,” said Smith.
The victim, a man in his 60s, was found naked and tied up inside the smoking vehicle.
Police arrived just in time to save him.
“He was able to stand up. He was naked. They put cloth, put a sheet over him. They put him on the gurney, put him in an ambulance,” Smith said.
The man had been taken from his home on Vernor Highway.
Police swarmed the area as part of the ongoing investigation.
“He wasn’t injured or nothing, but he was bleeding out his head, so he must have hit him upside the head,” Smith added.
Neighbors reported hearing the man hollering for help.
“There were other people out here who said they heard the man hollering for help, and he was tied up. He was there, and they robbed him, some women and some men,” Smith said.
The victim also expressed concern for his companion who police said was tied up inside of their home, but was expected to be OK as well.
“Then he started complaining about, go check on my wife, and that’s when they had to be together somehow. He said something about a safe, he won some money,” Smith said.
As the investigation continues, the community is urged to come forward with any information.
“Thank God you’re okay. He’s blessed, because this would have been a major crime scene,” Smith said.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Detroit Police Department at 313-596-5400 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-Up.