Crusader Staff Report
Councilman Ron Brewer pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and holding at gunpoint a teenager he accused of stealing his car on September 22.
Brewer entered the plea Monday, November 17 in Lake County Superior court.
On November 8, Brewer posted $10,000 bond, a day after he was indicted on three felony charges of kidnapping, intimidation and criminal confinement. Two days before he was charged, Brewer was re-elected to the Common Council.
In pleading not guilty, defense attorney Scott King told Magistrate Kathleen Sullivan there is no basis for the most serious charges against the 44-year-old Brewer because of a citizen’s arrest law. King also said he doesn’t think the intimidation count Brewer is facing is supported by the facts of the case.
According to an affidavit, at 7:15 p.m. on September 22, East Chicago police responded to a stolen red Lexus near 145th Street and Indianapolis Boulevard. The vehicle belonged to Brewer, who was at a gas station the previous day when his Lexus was stolen
Police said Brewer and his wife, allegedly used a GPS to track the vehicle to East Chicago. Brewer allegedly captured the 14-year-old teen who fled from the stolen car after Brewer fired shots at the car and other teens, according to the affidavit. Court documents say Brewer brought the teen back to Gary at gunpoint.
Brewer returned to work at City Hall November 12 but reportedly declined to comment on the three felony charges.
