Stolen bicycle incident leads to kidnapping charges

A Jefferson City man has been charged with misdemeanor kidnapping after authorities said he held a juvenile male at gunpoint for a bicycle.

Court documents show Christopher Word, 23, allegedly committed the crime Thursday afternoon in the 3600 block of West Truman Boulevard.

A Jefferson City Police Department probable cause statement shows officers made contact with Word and the juvenile after they received a 911 call that someone was being held at gunpoint.

The juvenile had located a friend's stolen bicycle at a gas station on West Truman and, along with his friends, attempted to appropriate the bike and flee the area. It's believed Word had taken the bike earlier.

Before they were able to leave, Word allegedly approached the victim and threatened him, saying he had a firearm in his backpack and he was to get his friends to bring the bike back to Word.

The victim, in fear for his life, followed Word's instructions and told his friends to bring back the bike. Word took the firearm out of his backpack and put it in his hoodie pocket while walking with the victim.

When officers found Word and the victim, Word was standing over the boy, who was siting on the curb. Word still had the firearm in his pocket.

Officers arrested Word and found the weapon was a BB gun; Word said he had it for self-defense. He also said he never planned to shoot the victim but just wanted his bicycle back.

Officers later determined the bicycle had been stolen a week ago and Word had possessed of it prior to this incident. Word claimed he received the bicycle from a friend for cleaning out a garage.

Court records show that since 2013 Word has had three convictions for stealing-related offenses.