Columbia County authorities issued arrest warrants today for a Delaware couple in connection with a May 11 kidnapping in Evans.
Armed robbery and kidnapping warrants were issued for Eric Gootee, 28, of Seaford, Del., and Chelsey Kibler, 21, of Laurel, Del., according to Columbia County sheriffs Capt. Steve Morris.
Police say they kidnapped a 75-year-old West Virginia man from the parking lot of Kroger in Evans. Police say the attacker, identified as Mr. Gootee, used a knife to abduct the man, steal $190 from him and force him to withdraw about $500 from two ATM machines. Mr. Gootee drove the man to Clanton Road, where he got into a black Ford F-150 that had been following them, according to a sheriffs office report.
Mr. Gootee and Ms. Kibler were arrested in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Thursday, after Ms. Kibler stole a purse from a car, police say.
Alabama police learned that the couple were suspects in crimes in three other states. They also recovered a sawed-off shotgun and hunting knife in their vehicle, according to Capt. Morris.
Police say Mr. Gootee, who is a registered sex offender from Delaware, and Ms. Kibler had been living in a stolen travel trailer, where they were growing marijuana.
They are in custody in Alabama.






