Police respond to kidnapping at motel

A Carthage man was arrested and charged with kidnapping after allegedly holding a woman against her will in a motel room here last week.

The man, Eddie Wilis, 51, was arrested and charged with kidnapping, Philadelphia Police Chief Eric Lyons said.

On Friday, June 21, at about 4:45 p.m., officers responded to the Western Motel, 1011 Holland Ave., to reports of a female being held against her will, Lyons said. 

Upon arrival, officers made contact with a male subject, later identified as Willis. 

“Officers were advised that Willis had barricaded the door with a TV stand and table to keep the female hostage and refused to let her go,” Lyons said.

According to Lyons, officers communicated with Willis as he walked back and forth from the window to the bathroom of the motel room. 

After about 30 minutes of negotiating and attempting to get Willis to release the female, officers made forceful entry into the room, where Willis briefly resisted officers. 

Willis was then taken into custody, and the female was found safe and unharmed inside the room, Lyons said.