DOVER, N.J. (Morris County) — Two people have been charged in connection with an alleged kidnapping in Dover after authorities located and rescued a victim during a traffic stop, officials said.
According to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the investigation began the morning of March 19 when an Apple iWatch belonging to a Dover resident sent an emergency SOS alert to police dispatch.
Officers responding to the victim’s residence found the individual missing, though their vehicle remained at the location. The victim’s watch was later discovered about a mile away in the street, appearing damaged as if it had been forcibly removed.
Investigators identified a suspect vehicle that was traced to Elizabeth. Police located the vehicle and conducted a motor vehicle stop, taking two suspects into custody.
The victim was found in the back seat and transported to a hospital with injuries including a head laceration and broken ribs. The victim was later released.
Authorities identified the suspects as Siquaya F. Smith, 37, and Louis G. Cadet, 40, both of Northfield. Both were lodged in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
Investigators allege the suspects drove to the victim’s residence and forced the victim into their vehicle while the victim was on the way to work. The victim was then driven to an unknown location and allegedly threatened to contact financial institutions to transfer $25,000.
Officials said the incident appears to have been a targeted attack and remains under investigation.
As of March 20, Smith and Cadet were charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy to commit kidnapping, third-degree aggravated assault, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and two counts of fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
Prosecutor Robert Carroll credited multiple agencies for their response.
“These arrests were the result of the combined and swift efforts of several law enforcement agencies – Dover Police Department, Elizabeth Police Department, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Division and MCPO Major Crimes and Missing Persons units. Thanks to rapid response by law enforcement aided by new technology in Morris and Union counties, we were able to locate the victim and bring an end to this dangerous situation in a matter of hours.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at 973-285-6200.
