A man who kidnapped a couple in a Del Paso Boulevard parking lot has been sentenced to 18 years to life in prison.
The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office announced today that Jeffrey Elder, 27, was sentenced by Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Allen H. Summer.
In March, Elder was convicted by a jury of kidnap for robbery, robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and inflicting great bodily injury.
On Dec. 18, 2009, Elder waited in a parking lot on Del Paso Boulevard as the two victims, who were husband and wife, got out of their van and entered a check cashing business. Elder then climbed into their unlocked van and hid.
When the victims returned to the van and drove out of the parking lot, Elder emerged with what later turned out to be a replica firearm, according to a District Attorney's Office news release. He demanded money and directed the victims to drive to West Sacramento.
Officials said Elder hit the driver several times in the head with the fake firearm and beat him intermittently as he drove. After driving several miles, the victim fought back and wrestled what he thought was a firearm from Elder. The van crashed and Elder fled, but he was later located by the Sacramento Police Department.
Officials said the victim suffered a dislocated finger during the struggle.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.