The kidnapping began outside LongHorn Steakhouse in Bala Cynwyd, Lower Merion Township, on June 27, 2026, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Lower Merion Superintendent of Police Andrew J. Block said.
The victim had been lured to the restaurant through an online communications app when three men wearing masks and body armor approached him, claimed to be law enforcement officers, and placed him in handcuffs, investigators said.
The men forced him into a vehicle, stole his phone and wallet, accessed his financial accounts, and transferred money to accounts controlled by members of a criminal organization known as "ARP," short for "Always Running Plays," according to prosecutors.
The kidnappers drove the victim to additional locations, where they stole more money through mobile banking apps and an in-store ATM before returning him to the steakhouse parking lot, investigators said.
The victim reported the kidnapping to Lower Merion Township Police the following day.
The investigation uncovered a criminal enterprise accused of carrying out kidnappings, robberies, extortion schemes, and illegal gun trafficking throughout Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Delaware counties, prosecutors said.
Six people have been charged:
- Daquine Malik Owens, 29, Philadelphia.
- Ajahnae C. Owens, 31, Philadelphia.
- Aysir Zaki Bond, 23, Philadelphia.
- Keith Alonzo Cirwithen-Howell, 29, Dover, Delaware.
- Najwa Halima Owens, 46, Philadelphia.
- Gregory Johnson, 25, Philadelphia.
The alleged operation extended back to at least 2024, when members targeted another victim through a similar scheme and extorted more than $100,000 over an extended period, prosecutors said.
In another incident, members of the organization lured a victim to a meeting under the pretense of discussing money the person supposedly owed. When the victim arrived, one member wrapped a rope around the person's neck while others threatened the victim with a firearm, according to investigators.
The organization allegedly used money stolen from victims to finance an extravagant lifestyle.
Investigators found that members spent proceeds from robberies and extortion on trips to Florida and Cancun, luxury vehicle rentals, chartered yachts, jewelry, expensive watches, designer clothing, and firearms.
Detectives also recovered communications in which members boasted that their luxury purchases and vacations were paid for with money taken from victims, prosecutors said.
The investigation also exposed an alleged firearms trafficking operation centered around Daquine Owens, who is prohibited from possessing guns under Pennsylvania and federal law because of previous felony convictions.
According to court documents obtained by Daily Voice on Thursday, Oct. 8, Owens was previously convicted of robbery, conspiracy, and drug-related offenses.
Investigators said his wife, Ajahnae Owens, purchased numerous firearms between 2021 and 2025, including handguns, rifles, and a Draco-style firearm.
Photographs, videos, cellphone records, and federal firearms tracing information showed Daquine Owens possessing many of the weapons shortly after his wife purchased them, prosecutors said.
During a July 2 search of the couple's shared Philadelphia residence, detectives recovered seven firearms, ammunition, and magazines. Five of the recovered guns had been purchased by Ajahnae Owens.
Investigators also traced firearms across state lines.
In August 2025, Ajahnae Owens purchased a Glock pistol and a Draco-style firearm. Shortly afterward, Daquine Owens and Bond traveled to South Florida with her firearms while she remained behind, according to prosecutors.
The Glock was later reported stolen in Florida, but investigators recovered photographs showing Daquine Owens possessing the weapon after the reported theft.
Florida authorities subsequently recovered the gun while executing a search warrant.
The 119-page affidavit of probable cause also details investigators' examination of social media posts, photographs, firearms purchase records, and cellphone evidence linking members of the organization to weapons and alleged criminal activity.
The investigation involved the Montgomery County Detective Bureau Violent Crimes Unit, Lower Merion Township Police Department, Philadelphia Police Department, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Gun Violence Task Force, FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Dover Police Department.
All six defendants face corrupt organizations charges.
Daquine Owens, Bond, Cirwithen-Howell, and Johnson also face kidnapping, robbery, theft by extortion, and related charges. Daquine and Ajahnae Owens face additional firearms trafficking charges, while Najwa Owens faces receiving stolen property, criminal use of a communication facility, and related offenses.
Daquine and Ajahnae Owens were arrested in Delaware on Monday, Oct. 5. Daquine Owens was extradited to Montgomery County on Wednesday, Oct. 7, and arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Richard H. Welsh, who set his bail at $2 million cash.
Ajahnae Owens remained awaiting extradition as of Thursday's announcement.
Cirwithen-Howell surrendered on 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, while Najwa Owens' bail was set at 10% of $25,000.
Bond remains wanted, with an arrest warrant issued for him, prosecutors said.
The defendants in custody are scheduled for preliminary hearings on Oct. 19 before Magisterial District Judge Patrick O. Krouse.
Assistant District Attorney Blair Rohlfing, captain of the Major Crimes Unit, is prosecuting the case.
The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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