Man Charged In Cherry Hill Attempted Kidnappings: Police

CHERRY HILL, NJ — A Philadelphia man has been charged in connection with the attempted kidnappings of two Cherry Hill women, police announced on Friday.

Kent William Powe, 58, of Philadelphia, was arrested outside a home on the 200 block of Jackson Avenue in Collingdale, Delaware County, last week, according to police.

At the time of his arrest, Powe was charged by Lower Merion police with felony attempted kidnapping, felony robbery, felony violation of the uniform firearms act, possession of an instrument of a crime and false imprisonment.

He wasn’t immediately charged in the Cherry Hill incidents, but those charges were announced on Friday. Read more here: Suspect In Cherry Hill Attempted Kidnappings Arrested: Police

Police first reported they were looking for the man on Nov. 21. At that time, police reported that the man attempted to kidnap a woman who was walking in a parking garage in the Plaza Grande Apartments on Park Boulevard at about 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 20.

In that incident, he robbed her at gunpoint and attempted to force her into the trunk of his car, but she managed to escape, police said. Read more here: Man Robbed, Tried To Kidnap Woman At Cherry Hill Apartments: PD

He has been charged with two counts of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree armed robbery, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, third-degree terroristic threats, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and second-degree certain persons not to possess a weapon.

Police said that a similar incident happened in the same apartment complex on Nov. 14. At about 7 p.m. that night, a woman was approached by a man in the unit block of Pacer Court, police said.

The man tried to start a conversation with her before he suddenly pushed her to the ground, police said. The woman screamed, and the man took off in a dark-colored sedan that may have had a loud muffler, according to police. Read more here: Cherry Hill Police Release Sketch Of Man In Attempted Kidnappings

In that incident, he has been charged with two counts of second-degree attempted kidnapping and third-degree aggravated assault.

“This was a complex case with many moving parts across state lines and it required the careful cooperation of multiple agencies to result in these charges,” Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer said. “Cherry Hill Police Detectives put in a lot of work to keep their community safe and informed, and the data we received from the Lower Merion Police Department and Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office was crucial in helping our Major Crimes Assistant Prosecutors move forward in filing charges in this case. We understand a lot of people have been very fearful after these incidents, especially in the Cherry Hill community, and we hope these charges highlight how seriously we take these actions.”

See related: Cherry Hill Attempted Kidnapper Sought In 2 States

Cherry Hill police would like to acknowledge the following law enforcement agencies for their assistance with this investigation: Lower Merion Police Department, Philadelphia Police Department, Collingdale Police Department, Camden County Prosecutors Office, and the Gloucester Township Police Department.

Cherry Hill police also appreciate the cooperation of the public in its assistance, and would like to remind the community that information regarding criminal activity may be shared by calling the police department directly, and may also be submitted anonymously at tips@cherryhillpolice.com or by clicking on the following link: https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/7196358. Information can also be sent by texting TIP CHERRYHILLPD followed by your message to 888777.