BALA CYNWYD — A man who thought he was meeting a 17-year-old girl he had been talking to online instead walked into a staged “arrest” in the parking lot of the LongHorn Steakhouse in Bala Cynwyd, and the people behind it were part of a criminal enterprise that called itself “ARP,” or “Always Running Plays,” Montgomery County prosecutors allege.
District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Lower Merion Superintendent of Police Andrew J. Block announced charges Thursday, Oct. 8, against six people they say were tied to the group, which investigators allege carried out kidnappings, robberies, extortion schemes, straw purchases and gun trafficking dating back to at least 2024.
The June 27 Kidnapping
According to prosecutors and court documents described by Patch, the victim had been chatting online with someone he believed was a 17-year-old girl named “Samantha.” He agreed to meet her outside the LongHorn on City Avenue on June 27.
When he arrived, three masked men in body armor approached, identified themselves as police and told him he was under arrest, authorities said. Investigators later identified the three as Daquine Owens, Aysir Bond and Keith Cirwithen-Howell.
The man was handcuffed and forced into a vehicle, which KYW Newsradio described as a black SUV. Prosecutors say the men took his phone and wallet, got into his financial accounts and moved money to accounts controlled by members of the group, including through Zelle and Venmo, KYW reported. He was also driven to an ATM and made to withdraw cash before being dropped back off in the restaurant parking lot. Authorities say more than $54,000 was taken.
According to KYW, the men warned the victim that if he reported what happened, they would expose him as a pedophile. Later that night, he received a message asking him to confirm a $50,000 wire transfer from one of his bank accounts. He went to Lower Merion police the next day.
What Investigators Say They Found
Detectives say the June case was not a one-off. Prosecutors allege that in 2024, ARP members used a similar scheme on another victim and extorted more than $100,000 over an extended period. In a separate incident, investigators say a victim was lured to a meeting about a supposed debt, where one member wrapped a rope around the person’s neck while others threatened the victim with a gun.
The probe also turned up what prosecutors describe as a straw-purchase and gun-trafficking operation centered on Daquine Owens, who is barred from having guns under state and federal law because of prior felony convictions. Investigators allege his wife, Ajahnae Owens, bought numerous firearms between 2021 and 2025, including handguns, rifles and a Draco-style gun. During a July 2 search of the couple’s Philadelphia home, detectives say they recovered seven guns, five of which she had purchased.
Prosecutors also allege money from the robberies and extortion paid for trips to Florida and Cancun, luxury car rentals, yacht charters, jewelry, watches and designer clothes, and that members bragged in messages that victims’ money funded it all, according to 6abc and Daily Voice.
Who Is Charged
- Daquine Owens, 29, of Philadelphia: corrupt organizations, kidnapping, robbery, theft by extortion and firearms trafficking. Arrested in Delaware Oct. 5, extradited Oct. 7 and held on $2 million cash bail.
- Aysir Bond, 23, of Philadelphia: corrupt organizations, kidnapping, robbery and theft by extortion. Still wanted; an arrest warrant has been issued.
- Keith Cirwithen-Howell, 29, of Dover, Del.: corrupt organizations, kidnapping, robbery and theft by extortion. Surrendered Oct. 5; bail set at $99,000 cash.
- Gregory Johnson, 25, of Philadelphia: corrupt organizations, kidnapping, robbery and theft by extortion. Arrested Sept. 30; bail set at $250,000 cash, Daily Voice reported.
- Ajahnae Owens, 31, of Philadelphia: corrupt organizations and firearms trafficking. Arrested in Delaware Oct. 5 and awaiting extradition.
- Najwa Owens, 46, of Philadelphia: corrupt organizations, receiving stolen property and criminal use of a communication facility. Arrested Sept. 30; bail set at 10% of $25,000, Daily Voice reported.
A preliminary hearing for the defendants in custody is scheduled for Oct. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Patrick O. Krouse. The investigation involved Montgomery County detectives, Lower Merion and Philadelphia police, the state Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force, the FBI, ATF and Dover police.
As of Thursday, Bond remained at large, prosecutors said.
All six defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Photos: Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. Not pictured: Ajahnae Owens and Aysir Bond.
Sources: 6abc (Leland Pinder); Daily Voice (Jillian Pikora); Patch (June Bakan); KYW Newsradio (Jim Melwert).
MORE PHILLY CRIME
- Two Philly Men Charged In 12 Armed Robberies Across Philly And Eastern Montco
- Philly Man Whose Sentence Biden Commuted Charged In Federal Meth, Fentanyl, And Guns Ring
Discover more from Philly Crime Update
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.