Sought ransom for overpayment on scrap metal

REISTERSTOWN, Md. - Scrap metal can be big business, but police say a manager that thought the payout was too big on a load in Carroll County made a big mistake when he tried to get one of his employees to pay up.

"The victim told officers the suspect had accused him of overpaying for a load of scrap metal brought into the plant, and he had demanded $2,000 back," said Baltimore County Police Cpl. Cathy Batton.

According to police, 29-year old Justin Earl Gorham was so incensed, he continued demanding the money as he drove the employee to his home after work.

You see… Gorham was not only the 23-year old man’s boss.

He was also his landlord, renting him out a room.

By the time the two men arrived at the Reisterstown home, things had come to a head.

"The suspect told the victim that he had to pack up his belongings and leave,” said Cpl. Batton, “When they got into the suspect's truck, he then displayed a weapon and told the victim to call family members to get the $2,000."

Two grand in cash to be exchanged for the 23-year old captive at an Exxon station in the 11900 block of Reisterstown Road.

The brother called police, and they spotted the two men in the suspect’s truck as it drove away from the location.

"Additional officers responding to the area were able to locate the vehicle out on I-795 driving towards Carroll County.  They stopped the vehicle.  They arrested the suspect.  (They) found the victim unharmed in the back seat, and they did recover a weapon from the car."

Gorham is being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on kidnapping and assault charges.

His initial bond has been set at $250,000.