Three charged in kidnapping for ransom case

by Alexandria Randolph

A report of kidnapping from a man hiding inside Walmart led Marble Falls Police to arrest a family of three on charges of aggravated kidnapping for ransom.

On Monday night between 9:30-10 p.m., Marble Falls Police got a call from a 26-year-old man who stated he was at Walmart and had been held against his will.

“He told officers that there was a vehicle outside with 'bad people with guns,'” said Marble Falls Police Sgt. Tom Dillard. “When officers arrived, they found exactly what he described.”

Police located the Chevy Blazer and arrested James Russell Graves, 44, of Hoover's Valley, Patricia Michelle Neff, 44, of Georgetown, and Ty Russell Graves 17, the purported son of Graves and Neff, on charge of aggravated kidnapping for ransom.

“The caller was located hiding inside the store. According to his account, he had been staying with James Graves, and Graves accused him of stealing from Neff. They held him at gunpoint and told their son to tie him up,” Dillard recounted.

The subject told police that while he was held at Grave's home in Hoover's Valley, he repeatedly denied stealing anything from Graves or Neff, but after what seemed like several hours, they agreed to take him to Walmart where he could return items for money and contact family to wire money for his release.  

For the full story, see Friday's Highlander.