Man charged with kidnapping, robbery of Chicago law students

CHICAGO (AP) - A man with a criminal background was ordered held without bond Thursday for the alleged kidnapping of two University of Chicago law students from their apartment last month and forcing them to withdraw cash from ATMs.

Johnathan Drummond was arrested Tuesday and charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, criminal sexual abuse and home invasion for the Aug. 31 attack.

During a bond hearing before Judge Wesley Willis, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney James Murphy said Drummond, 29, entered the apartment of the roommates, ages 22 and 25, through a window above their door. After striking the women and grabbing some of their property, Drummond allegedly forced the women out the apartment and into an automobile.

Murphy says Drummond groped one of the women as they went to several ATMs to withdraw money. One of the women was able to escape after Drummond forced the other to go into a store to get cash from a money transfer company inside. The woman who escaped used a passerby's cellphone to call police.

Drummond left the women at the store and went to his girlfriend's home, where he admitted he took the girlfriend's vehicle and kidnapped two women, Murphy said.

Both victims later identified Drummond through a mugshot. Drummond has prior convictions for burglary, residential burglary, robbery and a federal gun case.

Following his arrest, Drummond told authorities he picked up two intoxicated women at the side of the road. Murphy said surveillance video corroborated the women's version of events, adding neither victim appeared intoxicated.

A court-appointed attorney told the court that Drummond is the father of a 1-year-old child. A hearing is scheduled for later this month.