Kidnapper Abducted 2 People, Used Death Threat To Make Ransom Demand: Cops

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — A Chicago Heights man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he kidnapped two people and held one of them for ransom, threatening to kill him if his family did not pay, Cook County Sheriff's police said Monday.

On Wednesday, Dec. 18, sheriff’s police received a call from an individual who stated their family member was kidnapped and that they received ransom demands from the offender, who police say was later identified as Donnail Hannah, 37, of the 19400 block of Glenwood Dyer Road.

According to police, further investigation revealed that Hannah asked the male victim for a ride. After Hannah got into the car, he pointed a gun at the victim and told him to reactivate a ride-sharing app, sheriff's police said. The victim was then forced to pick up a woman who requested a ride.

As she got into the backseat of the car, the female victim saw Hannah pointing a gun, the sheriff's office said. According to officials, Hannah then demanded the male victim to drive to a gas station in Ford Heights to pick up the ransom money, and ordered the female victim to pick up the cash. However, she fled after getting out the car and immediately called police.

Hannah and the male victim were located later that day at an East Hazel Crest casino parking lot. Sheriff’s police arrested Hannah at the scene, and he was charged on Thursday, Dec. 19 with two counts of aggravated kidnapping with a firearm, one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon/felon, and one count of vehicular hijacking with a firearm.

He appeared for his initial hearing on Friday at the Markham Courthouse, where a judge ordered him detained at the Cook County jail. His next court hearing is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2025.