Claymont – The Delaware State Police have charged 48-year-old Richard E. Johnson of Wyncote, Pennsylvania with multiple felonies after he held a Philadelphia woman inside a Claymont area hotel room at knifepoint on Sunday afternoon, according to Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Michael Austin.
Austin said the investigation determined that Johnson picked up the 36-year-old female victim at approximately 10:30 a.m., in the Germantown area of Philadelphia after she asked him for a ride. Johnson and the victim, who were strangers, then drove around the City of Philadelphia, eventually ending up at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, located 630 Naaman’s Road in Claymont.
As the two were boarding an elevator at the hotel, the female victim began to feel uneasy and attempted to leave, at which time Johnson produced a knife and told her she was coming with him, according to Austin. Johnson then escorted the victim to a room on the second floor of the hotel at knifepoint. After being in the room for a short period of time a hotel housekeeper entered the room to clean it, which gave the victim the opportunity to escape and call 911, said Austin. The victim was not injured as a result of the incident.
Austin said Troopers responded to the hotel at 12:37 p.m. and were able to take Johnson into custody without incident as he was attempting to leave the premises. A search of Johnson’s person upon being taken into custody produced a folding knife.
Johnson was charged with one count each of Unlawful Imprisonment 1st Degree, Aggravated Menacing and Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony. He was arraigned and then released on $34,000.00 unsecured bail.
