MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities investigating suspects in an alleged kidnapping in Manhattan have learned two of them were involved in a separate incident.
According to the Riley County Police Department, on Jan. 1, Zane Thomas, 27, Junction City and Joseph Varvel, 25, of Manhattan, were involved in an incident with the same victim as the January 2, 2023, kidnapping on Gatlinburg Way in Manhattan.
Varvel and Thomas were reported to have held the 26-year-old male victim at gunpoint, and beat and strangled him while driving him around in a car against his will throughout the Manhattan area.
Both suspects are facing requested charges of one additional count each of aggravated robbery and aggravated kidnapping, according to the RCPD. Varvel also faces an additional requested charge of aggravated battery and Thomas aggravated assault. Both remain confined in the Riley County Jail.
These new requested charges bring bonds of $250,000 to both, raising each of their total bonds to $750,000.
Just before 8:30p.m. Monday, the Riley County Communications Center received a 911 call reporting shots were fired at the Links Apartments in the 500 block of Gatlinburg Way, according to a media release.
A witness reported a shooting followed by a man being forced from an apartment and into a vehicle. Officers located Varvel the area and detained him for questioning.
The Communications Center received an additional 911 call shortly before 11:00 p.m. from the victim, a 26-year-old man, who said he needed help and was located in the 1200 block of Colorado Street in Manhattan.
The man was transported to Via Christi for treatment of stab wounds and facial injuries. A man identified as Thomas was present with the victim when officers arrived and detained for questioning.
After further investigation, Thomas was arrested on requested charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, and possession of marijuana.
Varvel was arrested on requested charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, unlawful discharge of a firearm into an occupied dwelling, and possession of cocaine.
A third suspect Cooper Brown, 21, of Manhattan was identified and arrested on requested charges of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery, and aggravated kidnapping. He remains confined on a total bond of $300,000.