West Hartford Police arrested two individuals by warrant Monday night in conjunction with a kidnapping at knifepoint in late January.

By Ronni Newton

West Hartford Police arrested two suspects Monday night as part of an investigation into an incident where a 21-year-old man walking along Boulevard was kidnapped at knife point and held overnight.

According to Capt. Jeremy Clark, the incident happened at 7 p.m. on Jan. 28, 2021, while the victim was walking east on Boulevard from Trout Brook Drive.

The victim was forced into a car by the suspects, who then drove him around to multiple locations where his ATM card was used repeatedly to make illegal purchases, police said.

The victim was held forcibly overnight at an undisclosed location, and released sometime between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.. the next day in Hartford, Clark said.

The victim, who contacted West Hartford Police as soon as he was able to get assistance, sustained minor injuries to his face as a result of the kidnapping, police said.

Police launched an immediate investigation, and Monday evening at 6 p.m. the West Hartford Police Detective Division, Community Support Unit, and Emergency Services Unit simultaneously served a high risk warrant on the two suspects, Jalen Faucette-Smith and Teesa McElroy, both of New Britain.

Police said Faucette-Smith was taken into custody at Westfarms Mall, and McElroy was taken into custody after police stopped a car in which she was a passenger on I-84 in Hartford.

Clark said neither suspect appears to be associated with any other incidents that have taken place in West Hartford, but he cannot comment on investigations that may be underway in other towns.

Clark said the investigation remains active, and all leads are being pursued. It is not known whether or not there will be further arrests.

McElroy, 20, has been charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping, conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery, third-degree larceny, payment card theft, and illegal use of a payment card.

Faucette-Smith, 21, has been charged with first-degree kidnapping, second-degree robbery, conspiracy to commit first-degree kidnapping, conspiracy to commit second-degree robbery, second-degree larceny, third-degree larceny, and payment card theft.