MIAMI — A 29-year-old man accused of an armed kidnapping and robbery in a 17th-floor apartment in Miami appeared in court on Friday in Miami-Dade County.
Miami police officers arrested Ellis A. Thornton on Thursday after a judge issued a warrant for his arrest on Sept. 2 over the crimes at unit 1712 at Canvas, at 1600 NW 1 Ave.
“If you don’t get the money, kill him,” a man told Thornton over the phone, the victim said, according to the arrest warrant.
The victim, who police officers reported suffered visible injuries, said Thornton and another man stole $27,000 in cash and his Patek Philippe watch, records show.
The victim reported that he had been staying in the apartment with Thornton for about a week when he and another man rushed inside the bedroom shortly before 5:40 a.m. on Sept. 1, according to the arrest warrant.
Thornton, who was armed with a kitchen knife, and the gunman beat him up until he passed out, and when he woke up they had tied his hands and legs with zip ties, and he was eventually able to get away, according to the warrant.
Correctional deputies booked Thornton shortly before 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. He faced charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, and aggravated battery, and had a hold for immigration.
A judge denied him bond. Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge Lody Jean was set to preside over the case.
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