Kenosha man accused in armed abduction attempts, judge compares him to "Boogeyman"

KENOSHA -- A $200,000 cash bond has been set for a 62-year-old Kenosha man charged in connection with armed abduction attempts that allegedly took place last week. Leroy Johnson appeared in a Kenosha County courtroom on Monday, October 26th, where a judge compared him to the "Boogeyman."

One of the victims in this case was able to help police catch their suspect. She says news of his arrest and charges filed against him makes her feel relieved.

Leroy Johnson

Officials with the Kenosha Police Department say officers responded to the neighborhood near 50th St. and 16th Ave. shortly before 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 22nd. The victim, a 52-year-old Kenosha woman, indicated a black, four-door vehicle pulled up next to her as she walked westbound on 50th St. -- and the suspect asked her for directions.

As the victim approached the vehicle, officials say the operator pointed a pellet gun at the woman and told her to get into the car. The victim ran away from the car and the suspect fled west on 50th St. The victim provided officers with a partial license plate number and a description of the suspect.

"I kept thinking 'this is not really happening. It was so surreal," Heidi Beltoya said. "This guy had pulled up and said, 'can you help me with this address?' I looked down at the paper and there was nothing on the paper and I looked up at him and he goes `get in the car` and I looked down at his hand and he had a gun."

Beltoya says her instincts kicked in, and she ran to Fonte Foods nearby.

Heidi Beltoya

"I looked back to see if he was still there and he was driving by and I thought 'license plate' and I got a partial plate," Beltoya said.

Around 7:30 p.m. on that same day, officers responded to the neighborhood near 44th St. and Kennedy Dr. Officials say this case involved a 14-year old Kenosha girl who was walking west on 44th St. from the lakefront. The suspect was outside of his car when the victim walked past. Police say the suspect approached her, asked for directions, then grabbed her by the shirt collar and tried to force her at gunpoint into his vehicle. The victim pushed the gun away, kicked the suspect, and then ran westbound screaming for help.

Officers checked video from surrounding businesses and were able to identify the type of vehicle and license plate number. Officers and detectives responded to the address of the registered owner, located the suspect, and arrested him.

Leroy Johnson

Johnson is being held in the Kenosha County Jail. He has been charged with the following:

"These are allegations that will terrify this community. It will terrify individuals in this community to think that simply walking down residential streets exposes them to a stranger conducting themselves in this way," Mike Graveley, Kenosha County deputy district attorney said.

"This is, to many of the female population, a Boogeyman scenario," the judge said.

Johnson is due back in court next week for his preliminary hearing.