Gretna man found bound, hurt in Texas
East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputies are investigating the alleged kidnapping of a Gretna man later found in Texas injured, bound at the wrists and dressed only in socks and boxer shorts, authorities said.
The man was reported missing Wednesday shortly after his vehicle broke down on Old Hammond Highway, sheriff’s spokeswoman Casey Rayborn Hicks said.
The man’s wife told authorities that her husband went to Baton Rouge at 11:30 a.m. and that he later called to tell her his vehicle had broken down at 15419 Old Hammond Highway, Hicks said.
The woman called a towing company for her husband, but when the tow truck arrived at 12:35 p.m., neither her husband nor his vehicle was there, Hicks said.
Sheriff’s deputies searched the area but did not find the man or his vehicle, Hicks said.
The following day, just before 11 p.m., the wife contacted East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputies and told them her husband was found in Texas, Hicks said.
Swisher County Sheriff Cody Grubb said Wayne A. Williams, 34, and his burning vehicle were located 10 miles west of Tulia, Texas, which is about 50 miles south of Amarillo.
Williams had cuts on his legs and burn injuries, Grubb said. He was bound with a strap around his back and was wearing only socks and boxer shorts, the sheriff said.
Williams was taken to a nearby burn center and could be released on Friday, Grubb said.