Two hikers were kidnapped from a Colorado trail by a 73-year-old high-end real estate agent who authorities say had harassed the woman before.
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Kerry Endsley, a real estate agent with Sotheby’s and Compass who specialized in high-end homes in Denver’s suburbs, is now facing charges of kidnapping, menacing, and violating a restraining order in connection with Friday’s attack on a trail near a Lakewood golf course.
Deputies say Endsley confronted the couple after kneeling and pretending to tie his shoe and held them both at gunpoint. Another witness called 911 to report seeing two hikers held at gunpoint by an assailant later identified as Endsley.
According to sheriff’s officials, a handgun was pointed at them as they passed, who released a statement about the incident. The suspect ordered her to the ground to restrain the woman and wrapped a leash around her neck.
Endsley, the masked man, had previously harassed the woman. According to deputies, she was once served with a restraining order against the real estate agent.
Authorities claim that Kerry Endsley ordered the couple to “come with him,” but the husband was able to wrestle a gun away from him.
Deputies chased after the couple and held Kerry Endsley at gunpoint until they surrendered. Police fired at him but missed the real estate agent when he pulled a stun gun from his waistband and pointed it at them.
After that, a second deputy used a Taser on Endsley, who complained of injuries from the stun gun and was taken to a hospital, according to deputies. The abducted couple was not harmed in any way.
The Jefferson County Jail continues to hold Kerry Endsley on a $500,000 bond. Records show that he has a court date scheduled for Friday. Whether he has retained an attorney to speak on his behalf is unknown. KUSA reported that Endsley had been sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to harassment in September 2021.
According to a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman, the real-estate agent was attempting to persuade the Friday attack victim to “drop charges” against a member of his family. When asked if the case had been resolved, the spokeswoman said the victim still has a restraining order prohibiting Endsley from contacting her, but she would not identify the relative.
Even though his Compass real estate profile was no longer active, Sotheby’s in Denver confirmed that Kerry Endsley had worked there but refused to discuss his arrest.