BALA CYNWYD, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Six people are charged in Montgomery County, accused of being a part of an organized crime ring involved in kidnapping, extortion, robbery, and gun trafficking.
Five people from Philadelphia and one from Delaware are charged with being part of a criminal enterprise that calls itself Always Running Plays. Those charged include 29-year-old Daquine Owens, 31-year-old Ajahnae Owens, 23-year-old Aysir Bond, 46-year-old Najwa Owens, 25-year-old Gregory Johnson, and 29-year-old Keith Cirwithen-Howell.
According to charging documents, the investigation into the group started in June, when they lured a man to a restaurant in Bala Cynwyd by posing online as a 17-year-old girl.
Three members of the group handcuffed him and put him in the back of a black SUV, telling him he was under arrest.
Investigators said they went through the man’s phone and transferred thousands of dollars through Zelle and Venmo to other members of the group, drove him to an ATM, and made him withdraw money. They told the man that if he reported what happened, they would expose him as a pedophile.
Later that night, the man said he got a message telling him to confirm a $50,000 wire transfer from one of his bank accounts.
Investigators said the group pulled a similar stunt in 2024 and got away with $100,000.
The Montgomery County DA’s office said as the investigation continued, they found extensive evidence of straw purchases and gun trafficking, including sales across state lines.
The charges against the six defendants include corrupt organizations, kidnapping, extortion, and firearms trafficking.
All but Bond have been apprehended. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 19.
