3 Maryland men deny guilt in kidnap, burglary

5/10/2008

Three Maryland men charged with entering a home on Lewis Avenue, duct-taping the occupants, and demanding money and drugs were arraigned yesterday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

Jeremy Yates, 23, of Laurel; Terrell Edwards, 23, of Waldorf, and Julius Andrews, 25, of District Heights, each pleaded not guilty to three counts of kidnapping with gun specifications and five counts of aggravated burglary with gun specifications.

If convicted on each of the eight charges, each defendant faces a maximum of 80 years in prison plus an additional three years for the gun specification. They are in the county jail in lieu of $400,000 bonds.

Authorities said three men covered their faces with bandanas and entered the house at 4135 Lewis Ave. on April 20. They had guns and knives, authorities said.

The men taped up the occupants and threatened them, witnesses said. One of the occupants escaped to a neighbor's house and called police.

Judge James Jensen set a June 24 trial date.