Crime & Safety

Germantown Man, Rockville Woman Charged in Armed Abduction

Police: Victim was lured to hotel by woman he met online.

A man and woman from Montgomery County are in police custody after a man was lured to a Herndon, VA hotel, tied up and robbed, Herndon Patch reports.

Michael John Szachnitowski, 34, of Germantown, was charged with abduction, robbery, and the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Hilary Sacks, 25, of Rockville was charged with abduction and robbery.

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At 9:15 p.m. Wednesday, Herndon police responded to a 9-1-1 call at a Spring Street hotel. Police said the male victim had arranged to meet a woman he met online. But when the woman arrived at the hotel room another man pushed his way into the room and held him at gunpoint.

Police said the man who sought the date was tied up, held against his will and robbed.

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Police said a woman opened the door when police arrived at the hotel room. But police claim that as the door opened, an armed man pushed the alleged victim into a closet and shut the door.

Officers apprehended the armed man without incident and freed the man in the closet. 

Police said Szachnitowski and Sacks are being held at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond.


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