Police and fire briefs for Oct. 31, 2012
A man accused of kidnapping his estranged wife Saturday, grabbing her by the throat and threatening to knock her out, “duct tape” her and throw her in a river has been arrested, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
Earnest Courtney, 35, 4423 Gurney St., was booked Sunday with simple kidnapping and domestic abuse battery, parish prison records show.
Courtney went to the victim’s home and coaxed her into his vehicle so they could talk, the affidavit says.
Courtney then started the vehicle and drove away and the victim tried to open the vehicle door but couldn’t get out because Courtney had taped the door handle with duct tape, the affidavit says.
Courtney then told his estranged wife, “Your family won’t see you after tonight. I’m going to knock you out, duct tape you and throw you in the river,” the affidavit says.
Courtney drove the victim to an unknown location against her will, held her down and grabbed her by the throat, the affidavit says.
During the struggle, the car horn went off, which caused Courtney’s brother to leave his home nearby, the affidavit says. The brother saw Courtney’s vehicle and opened one of the doors, allowing the victim to escape, run off and call police.
Courtney then went into a nearby residence where he barricaded himself inside a room while police tried to get him to come out. Courtney eventually left the home and was taken away in handcuffs.