Pizza Order Cooks Kidnap Suspects

A pizza order may have led to the arrest of three kidnappers of one of the country's richest men.

A credit card belonging to the kidnap victim led police to three suspects. A Hartford, Conn., television station reported that 23-year-old Shemone Gordon and 19-year-old Devon Harris tried to use Edward S. Lampert's credit card to pay for a pizza order.

The two men and a juvenile were charged and ordered held without bond in connection with the alleged kidnapping and extortion of the millionaire. Authorities were seeking a fourth suspect.

Gordon and Harris, both from Connecticut, were charged Monday with violating the federal Hobbs Act, which prohibits people from using violence or extortion in any way that affects commerce.

Lampert, 40, chairman of ESL Investments Inc., was abducted Friday night and dropped off unharmed at an undisclosed location in Greenwich, a wealthy town outside New York City, early Sunday, police said.

Lampert is listed on the Forbes 400 list as the 288th richest person in America with an estimated fortune of $800 million.

Prosecutors said authorities found a shotgun, seven shotgun rounds and a mask in a hotel where the three suspects were taken into custody Sunday night.

Charges against the teenager were to be sealed because of laws that protect minors. Prosecutors also said a fourth suspect remained at large.

Roger Sigal and Frank O'Reilly, public defenders representing Gordon and Harris, said the two men maintain their innocence.

Lampert was weary from the ordeal, but not physically injured, police said. He could not be reached for comment Monday.

ESL Investments and partner groups own stakes in several major companies including AutoZone Inc., Liz Claiborne Inc., Office Depot and Payless Shoesource.