A drug deal gone bad in northeast Iowa has landed three people in jail. Two teenagers are accused of kidnapping a 17-year-old and holding him for ransom after a botched deal in Waterloo. Seventeen-year-old Michael Creger of Evansdale and 19-year-old Zachary Gillen of Riceville are each charged with second-degree kidnapping.
According to authorities, Creger and Gillen arranged to meet a 17-year-old for a drug transaction. The teenager had arranged to buy drugs with money Gillen provided, but the deal apparently turned sour. Police say Creger and Gillen drove the teenager to Creger’s home in Evansdale and held him for ransom. The teen’s parents agreed to pay the $1,200 for his release, then tipped off police. Officers took Creger and Gillen into custody when they showed up at a convenience store to collect the money.
Also arrested was Gillen’s father — 44-year-old Richard Gillen, also of Riceville. The elder Gillen is also charged with second-degree kidnapping for his alleged involvement with the abduction.