Suspect Charged In KidnapRobberies

MILWAUKEE - (12/01/04) -- A 26-year-old local man was chargedthis week with a series of credit union and check-cashing stationrobberies that involved kidnappings of employees or their familymembers. Lamar Ray was charged with the high-profile Dec. 13, 2002robbery at Educators CU in which the vice president of the creditunion was abducted at gunpoint from her home, then forced to openthe credit union while her husband and five-year-old daughter werebound and held hostage at the home. About two hours after his wifewas taken, the husband was able to get to a phone and dial 911 withhis tongue. Ray was also charged with an Oct. 25, 2003 robbery atCashland Check Cashing in which the manager was told that his sonhad been kidnapped.