Men Accused of Beating Friend For Inheritance Money

A man invited a friend to a north suburban home earlier this month to watch the Bears-Packers game, but instead, along with two others, gagged and beat him in a bungled abduction attempt over a windfall inheritance, according to police.

Officers were called to the home in the 300 block of North Kenwood Drive in Round Lake Park about 8:37 p.m. Nov. 4 after neighbors heard a disturbance and called 911, Round Lake Beach Chief of Police George Filenko said.

When officers heard muffled cries for help coming from inside the home, they forced their way inside and found an injured, naked man lying bound and gagged on the floor, Filenko said.

They later learned the 38-year-old victim had been pistol-whipped and beaten in the head with a pipe, he said.

Authorities claim the man’s lifelong friend -- 35-year-old Deshaude Jones -- lured him there to watch the Packers-Bears game on Monday Night Football, while two other suspects hid in the home, Filenko said.

At some point -- just after the Bears scored a touchdown -- the two other suspects “came out of nowhere” and all three began beating the victim, the chief said.

“Apparently, the victim’s family had inherited a substantial amount of money several weeks prior and the suspects had knowledge of that,” Filenko said. “This may have been a failed attempt at abducting him and holding him for a ransom.”

The victim suffered several “substantial” head injuries and was treated at a local hospital, Filenko said.

Derek Gordon, 34, of Waukegan was arrested at the home. Police say Jones and 37-year-old Seneca Davis fled from the scene, but Davis was arrested Tuesday.

Gordon and Davis face charges of armed robbery, aggravated robbery, aggravated battery and unlawful restraint, Filenko said.

Jones remained at large as of Tuesday evening, and authorities believe he may have fled the state.

The victim knew all three suspects, and was able to identify them in a lineup, Filenko said.

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