Cortland police charge 4 men with robbery, kidnapping in home invasion

Cortland police have charged four men with robbery and kidnapping connected to a home invasion Tuesday on Charles Street. The four are: Jacob J. Empey, 18, 7 Elm Street, Cortland; Zachary P. Hostrup, 22, 6321 Academy Street, Truxton; Carlos R. Ferrer, 20, 23 Rickard Street, Cortland; and Jeffrey R. Hartnett, 22, 3745 Prospect Street, Truxton. Here's what Cortland police said...

Cortland police have charged four men with robbery and kidnapping connected to a home invasion Tuesday on Charles Street.

The four are: Jacob J. Empey, 18, 7 Elm Street, Cortland; Zachary P. Hostrup, 22, 6321 Academy Street, Truxton; Carlos R. Ferrer, 20, 23 Rickard Street, Cortland; and Jeffrey R. Hartnett, 22, 3745 Prospect Street, Truxton.

Here's what Cortland police said happened:

A 14-year-old boy was walking on Elm Street when he was approached by two men who got out of a green 1998 Ford Mustang and forced him into the vehicle, driven by a third male and followed by a second vehicle. The 14-year-old was physically assaulted and robbed at gunpoint of $70 and a cellphone. He was driven to a Euclid Avenue address, where one of the men entered the residence and returned with a handgun.

Jacob Empey

Zachary Hostrup

The 14-year-old was told to reveal the address of a relative, whom the men were looking for regarding a previous theft. He told them of the address on Charles Street, and they took him to the apartment door, accompanied by a man from the second vehicle.

The 14-year-old was told to knock and ask to be let in. When the door was opened by the 22-year-old male resident, the four men pushed the 14-year-old inside and forced their way into the apartment, where they assaulted the resident in the presence of two guests.

Jeffrey Hartnett

Carlos Ferrer

While the assault was talking place, the 14-year-old fled the apartment and got help from a neighbor.

Police impounded the Ford Mustang, which had been used to kidnap the 14-year-old, and found ammunition for the shotgun. The shotgun was recovered in the apartment. No handgun was found at the scene.

Police are searching for two suspects who fled before patrols arrived. Anyone who may have information can contact Sgt. Patrick C. Sweeney at (607) 758-8308 or Lt. David M. Guerrera at (607) 758-8307.

The four men were held for arraignment in Cortland City Court, where they were remanded to Cortland County Jail and were to reappear in Cortland City Court today.