Docs: Robbers Lured Victims via Dating Apps; 2 Charged with Kidnapping

A Disturbing Trend: Kidnappings and Carjackings Linked to Dating Apps

Indianapolis Police Department (IMPD) is currently investigating a series of alarming incidents involving kidnappings and carjackings, with two suspects accused of targeting victims through dating apps. The case has raised concerns about the dangers of online interactions and the need for increased vigilance when meeting people from digital platforms.

According to court documents, the incidents took place at the Hawthorne Place Apartments on 32nd Street. Surveillance footage captured the first incident, which occurred around 2:30 a.m. The victim, who had been communicating with someone he believed to be a woman on the dating app "Meet Me," was met by two men armed with guns. This encounter left the victim in a life-threatening situation.

The suspect reportedly told the victim, “if he cooperates, then he will live.” For approximately two hours, the victim was forced to hand over his phone, wallet, bank passwords, and Social Security number while a gun was pressed against him. He was then taken to a gas station and later returned to the apartment complex where the initial robbery occurred. The suspects waited for his paycheck to clear before taking him to another gas station and dropping him off back at the apartment complex.

The victim managed to drive himself home and called 911. IMPD Public Information Officer Drew Brown expressed concern over the incident, stating, “Not everybody is who they claim to be online.” He emphasized that this event highlights the risks of placing trust in strangers encountered online.

Just a few hours after the first incident, a second victim arrived at the same apartment complex. Initially, he claimed to be a DoorDash driver delivering to the address. However, he later revealed that he had also been communicating with someone he believed to be a woman on the dating app "Tag." The suspects, using the same modus operandi, approached him with guns and demanded money.

The second victim described feeling as though he might die during the encounter. He was forced into the backseat of his car, with a gun held to his head. After a short time, he managed to escape by claiming his money was in the trunk. While the suspects searched the trunk, he pushed them out of the way and flagged down a nearby car to call 911. The suspects then fled in the victim’s vehicle, leaving it abandoned nearby.

Brown advised users to remain cautious when meeting people from dating apps. He recommended using platforms with thorough vetting processes and being wary of red flags such as being asked to meet in a residential area. He also encouraged users to inform someone they trust about their plans.

IMPD identified the suspects shortly after the incidents. SWAT officers executed a search warrant at the vacant apartment used by the suspects and found 18-year-old Damon Marshall and 19-year-old Ricky Coleman inside with a Glock handgun and an airsoft rifle. Both suspects later admitted to the crimes and were arrested.

Court records indicate that both victims reported hearing the suspects say they had “killed someone the night before.” While these claims are still under investigation, the incidents have left lasting psychological effects on the victims. The second victim, who spoke with FOX59/CBS4 crews off-camera, declined to discuss the incident, stating he is still healing from the experience.

Marshall and Coleman now face multiple felony charges, including:

• Kidnapping while hijacking a vehicle
• Armed robbery
• Criminal confinement while armed with a deadly weapon
• Kidnapping while armed

These charges reflect the severity of the crimes committed and the danger posed by the suspects. As IMPD continues its investigation, the department reminds the public to stay vigilant and prioritize safety when engaging with others online.