NewsCrime

Actions

Loveland man indicted on 5 felonies in kidnapping, robbery of 84-year-old woman

Posted at 11:46 AM, Feb 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-27 09:53:37-05

Editor's note: A prior version of this story misstated who Douglas called to begin the investigation. WCPO regrets this error.

HAMILTON COUNTY, Ohio -- A Loveland man suspected of kidnapping and robbing an 84-year-old woman earlier this month was indicted on five felony counts.

Brent Engel, 31, is charged with one count of aggravated robbery, one count of robbery, two counts of kidnapping and one count of abduction.

According to Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters, Engel got into the passenger seat of Mary Douglas's car at Symmes Township CVS drugstore on Feb. 15. 

He had a box cutter in his hand, Deters said, and he made Douglas drive to a Fifth Third Bank across the street and take out $200.

Then Engel made her go to a Wendy's and get a value meal. 

They rode around for a while before Engel made Douglas take him to a White Castle restaurant in Norwood, where, according to Douglas, it appeared he was involved in a drug deal. Engel injected himself with something from a syringe when he got back into the car, Deters said. Then he made Douglas drive to an apartment complex in Loveland and made a call from her phone; but, Deters said, he couldn't find the person he was looking for.

Deters said Engel then made her drive to a Shell gas station, where he left her.

According to Deters, Engel took Douglas' phone and keys every time he got out of the car.

When he finally left her, Deters said, she called her son and the sheriff's office, which began an investigation.

Engel surrendered to police two days later, on Feb. 17.

If he's convicted on all counts, he faces more than 20 years in prison.