Six people face kidnapping and robbery charges after a man was lured to a Bala Cynwyd parking lot and robbed, Montgomery County prosecutors announced Thursday, Oct. 8.

The alleged crime ring, called "ARP" or "Always Running Plays," used a fake online profile of a 17-year-old girl named "Samantha" to draw the victim to the LongHorn Steakhouse parking lot on Saturday, June 27, according to Bala Cynwyd Patch. When the victim arrived, three masked men wearing body armor approached him, identified themselves as police officers and told him he was being arrested for "pedophilia," according to court documents.

The men handcuffed the victim and forced him into a black SUV, according to KYW Newsradio. They stole his phone and wallet, transferred thousands of dollars through Zelle and Venmo to accounts controlled by ARP members, then drove him to an ATM and forced him to withdraw more cash. The group dropped him back at the parking lot on City Avenue.

The men warned the victim they would expose him as a pedophile if he reported the crime, investigators said. Later that night, the victim received a message directing him to confirm a $50,000 wire transfer from one of his bank accounts, KYW reported.

He reported the kidnapping to Lower Merion Police on Sunday, June 28.

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Lower Merion Superintendent of Police Andrew J. Block announced the charges jointly. The months-long investigation involved Lower Merion Police, the Montgomery County Detective Bureau, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Gun Violence Task Force, Philadelphia Police and Dover, Delaware, police.

The six defendants are Daquine Malik Owens, 29, of Philadelphia; Ajahnae C. Owens, 31, of Philadelphia; Aysir Zaki Bond, 23, of Philadelphia; Keith Alonzo Cirwithen-Howell, 29, of Dover, Delaware; Najwa Halima Owens, 46, of Philadelphia; and Gregory Johnson, 25, of Philadelphia.

All six face corrupt organizations charges. Daquine Owens, Bond, Cirwithen-Howell and Johnson also face kidnapping, robbery and theft-by-extortion charges. Daquine and Ajahnae Owens face additional firearms trafficking charges. Najwa Owens faces receiving stolen property and criminal use of a communication facility charges.

Bond remains at large. An arrest warrant has been issued for him.

Daquine Owens was arrested in Delaware on Monday, Oct. 5, extradited to Montgomery County on Wednesday, Oct. 7, and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Richard H. Welsh, who set bail at $2 million cash.

Ajahnae Owens was also arrested in Delaware on Oct. 5 and was awaiting extradition as of Oct. 8. Cirwithen-Howell surrendered Oct. 5 and was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Todd N. Barnes, who set bail at $99,000 cash.

Johnson and Najwa Owens were arrested Sept. 30. Johnson's bail was set at $250,000 cash. Najwa Owens' bail was set at 10 percent of $25,000.

Prosecutors said ARP carried out similar schemes across Greater Philadelphia. In a separate 2024 incident, members allegedly extorted more than $100,000 from another victim over an extended period.

In another case, members lured a victim to a meeting under the pretense of discussing a debt, then wrapped a rope around the victim's neck while others threatened the victim with a firearm, according to investigators.

The investigation also exposed an alleged firearms trafficking operation centered on Daquine Owens, who is prohibited from possessing guns under state and federal law because of previous felony convictions, Daily Voice reported.

Investigators said Ajahnae Owens purchased numerous firearms between 2021 and 2025. Evidence showed Daquine Owens possessing many of those weapons shortly after purchase. A July 2 search of the couple's Philadelphia home turned up seven firearms, ammunition and magazines.

All charges are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Attorney information was not immediately available in court records.

Assistant District Attorney Blair Rohlfing, captain of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case. The five defendants in custody are scheduled for preliminary hearings Monday, Oct. 19, before Magisterial District Judge Patrick O. Krouse.