Used-Car Salesman Guilty of Kidnapping

ACCOMAC -- Richard Coleman set out to buy a car on June 9, 2009, and instead was kidnapped by the seller.

Three suspects hauled Coleman to a bank and forced him to make a withdrawal from an ATM in Accomack County. But Coleman instead ran inside, freeing himself, and bank workers called police.

Richard Copes, 31, of Withams pleaded guilty in Accomack Circuit Court to the abduction of Coleman, stealing an automobile and robbery.

Commonwealth's Attorney Gary Agar said the victim spoke to Copes about buying the vehicle and the victim arrived in the family van.

Copes got into the passenger seat and two other individuals came from behind bushes and confronted Coleman, according to testimony.

They assumed the man had the $600 with him to pay for the used car.

"He did not," Agar said.

But they found $50 and an ATM card in the man's wallet. All three got in the victim's van to drive to an ATM to withdraw money.

From Withams, they drove to the NASA Federal Credit Union at T's Corner. Agar said the plan was for the man to get out of the van and withdraw money while they sat in the van. The victim told investigators he thought the men had a gun.

The victim got out of the van as directed, but instead of going to the machine, he ran inside the credit union.

The three men then reportedly sped off in the van. Two of the men made statements to police and named Copes. The victim knew the three defendants and was able to identify them to police.

Copes, however, contacted Coleman in an apparent attempt to buy his support.

"Give me a break. Is there a price I can kick at you?" Copes said, according to a transcript of the phone call, which Agar read in court. The call was recorded by the victim.

The accomplices have been convicted of the same crime -- one has been sentenced to five years and the other faces sentencing.

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