Chatham County (February 25, 2023) – A man contacted Pooler police to report that his son was kidnapped and that the alleged kidnapper demanded a four hundred dollar ransom in a text message. Savannah police searched local hotels for the kidnapper and his victim.
According to reports, Januario Augsto Maocha II, 35, was detained by use of force by Savannah police after the victim’s vehicle was located at a Deluxe Inn on Ogeechee Road, leading officers to the suspect. Maocha was taken to Memorial hospital due to the use of force.
The victim’s father called Pooler police to report that his son borrowed his car without permission and did not return it. The man said he received a text message from his son’s phone demanding four hundred dollars for ransom and instructions to send the ransom through Cashapp. The kidnapper reportedly told the father to meet at the Savannah Garden Inn to retrieve his son.
Officers searched the Garden Inn and the surrounding area for the missing vehicle, a black Ford Fusion. After failing to locate the missing car at the Garden Inn, officers checked a nearby Deluxe Inn that matched a description given by the victim’s father of a hotel his son visited often. The vehicle was located, and the suspect was spotted leaving his room and detained.
Maocha was charged with armed robbery, kidnapping, aggravated assault, false imprisonment, burglary, possession of a weapon during a crime, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, obstruction, and possession of methamphetamine.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On February 25th 2023, at 03:18 hours I was dispatched to 3820 Ogeechee Road (Savannah Garden Inn) in regard to an officer assist. Call notes indicated a Pooler Police Officer believed an individual was possibly being held for ransom at this location.
Based on the call notes I chose to stage my unit at 3715 Ogeechee Road (A Town Wings) believing this to be a potential hostage situation. I made contact with Officer Ferguson of Pooler Police to obtain more information.
Officer Ferguson advised me a male identified as [WITNESS #1] had allowed his son, [VICTIM #1] to use his vehicle (2010 Black Ford Fusion – GA TAG: [REDACTED]). He stated [VICTIM #1] then later took the vehicle once again without his permission. [WITNESS #1] then later advised that he had received a text from his son’s phone later in the day demanding $400 via Cash App for the return of [VICTIM #1].
Officer Ferguson contacted our department because the individual requesting money for the safe return of [VICTIM #1] was requesting to meet at the Savannah Garden Inn.
Assisting Officers conducted a search of the Savannah Garden Inn parking lot for the Black Ford Fusion Mr. [VICTIM #1] was last known to be reportedly driving. The vehicle was not located.
Officer Ferguson then described a one-story inn with a two-story hotel behind it that Mr. [VICTIM #1] is also known to frequent. I recognized this description to be matching that of 3680 Ogeechee Road (Budget/Deluxe Inn). Assisting Officers conducted a sweep of the Deluxe and Budget Inn parking areas and located the Black Ford Fusion.
Assisting Officers took over coordinating investigation surrounding the rooms and occupants of the Deluxe Inn that were in proximity to the vehicle.
While attempting to gather more information a male, later identified as Jaunario Maocha exited a room suspected to be involved with the incident. Assisting Officers then attempted to detain Mr. Maocha during an investigatory stop resulting in a use of force to which I was not involved. Mr. Maocha was placed into handcuffs and searched incident to an arrest by assisting officers.
Sgt. Gibbs, Lt. Talley, and Lt. Cunningham responded to the scene.
EMS responded to the scene regarding the use of force. Sgt. Gibbs tasked me with riding with EMS personnel and Mr. Maocha to Memorial Hospital. Mr. Maocha was transported to memorial hospital without incident to be cleared medically to be booked into CCDC. SCPL. Hill responded to relive me at Memorial Hospital.
[End of Narrative]
