On August 26, 2014, shortly before 8:30 p.m. two unknown Hispanic males entered a vacant house located in the area of 1000 S. 31st Street and kidnapped a homeless man, his female companion was able to escape.
According to Phoenix Police, recently, Joel Lawhone, age 36, and a woman, age 49, both homeless, started staying in the 31st Street house, which has no electricity, for shelter. The two intruders accused Lawhone of inappropriate contact with their niece and he was going to have to pay for it. They forced Lawhone into their car and pulled the woman by her hair towards the car. She was able to hang on to a fence and began to scream, which drew the attention of bystanders. The suspects let the woman go and fled the scene with Lawhone inside the suspects’ car.
Detectives have not been able to locate Lawhone and are concerned about his welfare, because there was a significance amount of blood inside the house. Anyone who may have information concerning this incident or knows where the victim or suspects may be, or where the suspect vehicle may be is encouraged to contact the Phoenix Police Department at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish.