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POLICE SEEK THREE IN ROBBERY KIDNAPPING

By Ray King OF THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Tuesday, September 22, 2009 12:07 AM CDT

Pine Bluff police are asking for help in identifying and arresting three men who allegedly beat, robbed and kidnapped a man Friday morning.

ATM surveliance photo of robbery suspect.

Lt. Bob Rawlinson said the men forced the victim into his vehicle, then drove to several automatic teller machines where they withdrew cash before releasing the victim in the Dollarway area.

A report from Officer Gary Rittenhouse said Rittenhouse was flagged down by the victim, Jerry Cobbs, at about 3:30 a.m. at the intersection of Blake Street and the Martha Mitchell Expressway.

Cobbs reported that he had been asleep in his home on Lakewood Lane when three unknown black males entered the house, bound his hands and feet, and blindfolded him. He said at least two of the three men had guns, and he was unable to identify them because they had bandannas covering the bottom of their faces.

Rittenhouse said in his report that Cobbs was put on the floor near his bed while the men searched through drawers and cabinets. While they were searching, one of the men would periodically hit Cobbs in the head with a pistol, jab him in the ribs, and threaten to kill him.

Cobbs told police that after the men searched the house, they untied his feet, put him in his GMC Yukon and drove to several automatic teller machines, where Cobbs he gave the men his ATM card and PIN number after they threatened to kill him and his wife.

Rawlinson said $500 was withdrawn from a machine at Simmons First National Bank on Dollarway Road, and another $100 from a Pine Bluff National Bank ATM before Cobbs was released on Bullock Street.

Items reportedly taken from Cobbs included a laptop computer, desktop computer, jewelry, checkbooks, digital camera, and cell phone from the house, and a mounted DVD player and screen from the vehicle.

Cobbs told police all three men were between 5 feet, 9 and 5 feet, 11 inches tall; one was slim, and a second one stocky. No physical description was available for the third man.

Rawlinson said anyone with information about the men should contact the Detective Division at 543-5111 or the Crime Hotline at 543-5110 and all calls will be kept confidential.

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