Sierra Vista police arrested three suspects in connection with a Jan. 21 armed robbery and kidnapping, authorities said.
On Jan. 22, police learned that a man had made arrangements with a Tucson-based escort service for several women to travel to Sierra Vista the night before, said Corporal Tim Wachtel, a department spokesman.
The man and his friend met the escorts at a Sierra Vista home, where they got into an argument with the women about how much money was owed after the escorts said that the men didn't pay enough for their services, Wachtel said.
A man with a mask was waiting outside the home and at the escorts' request, held the Sierra Vista men at gunpoint. One of the men was assaulted in the incident and the suspects stole items from their home. The men were then forced to go to multiple stores and ATMS to buy goods, services and cash to cover what they owed the escorts, Wachtel.
The men were held for 10 to 11 hours before they were released.
Police identified the suspects as 31-year-old Tucson residents Wesley Kirk, 44-year-old Karen Keil and 29-year-old Kelly Anderson. Agents with Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals Service worked with SVPD detectives in conducting electronic and physical surveillance in Sierra Vista and Tucson, and served multiple warrants in both areas, Wachtel said.
On Feb. 1, police arrested Anderson in midtown Tucson, in connection with an outstanding felony warrant for probation violations. She's currently being held at the Pima County jail.
Kirk was also arrested Feb. 1 in central Tucson, after police and U.S. Marshals served a search warrant at a local hotel. He's facing 13 felony charges, including armed robbery, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault, participating in a criminal syndicate, theft by extortion, transportation of persons for prostitution, receiving the earnings of a prostitute and prohibited possession of a firearm, Wachtel said.
Kirk is being held at the Cochise County jail on a $100,000 bond.
Keil was arrested Jan. 31 after detectives served a search warrant at a northside residence, and is facing 10 charges, which include armed robbery, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault, participating in a criminal syndicate and extortion. She's being held at the Cochise County jail on a $50,000 bond.
