El Cajon, CA–This fine trio of thug wannabe’s are Jeffrey Nelson, 19, Luis Osborne, 18, and Antoinette Baker, 18. They are responsible for the kidnapping and torture of 75-year-old Natalie “Sandy” Herbst-Vinge.
Nelson, a salesman from a carpet company, first came into contact with Herbst-Vinge last Monday morning…he sold her a $2,000 Kirby vacuum cleaner. Later that evening he returned to her home and asked if he could use her phone. When she turned around to allow him into her home, he attacked her from behind, choking her until she was unconscious. After he tied her hands and feet and slapped duct tape over her mouth, he ransacked her home in search of cash and credit cards. At some point, Nelson called a couple of friends to come and enjoy the mayhem. Enter Osborne and Baker.
It wasn’t enough that Nelson ripped off and choked Herbst-Vinge, I guess he had to prove himself a real thug in front of his friends, so he threw the woman in the trunk of her own car. It was time for a joy ride. The three drove to Ocean Beach in Herbst-Vinge’s car, where they hung out at the Ocean Beach pier. Good times.
When the thugs stopped to gas up the car, with Herbst-Vinge’s gas card, she managed to chew through the duct tape and scream for help. Unfortunately, the only ones to hear her scream were the assholes that kidnapped her. The cries for help earned her a few punches in the face from Nelson and Osborne. When she asked for water, she was punched again. Over and over.
For over 26-hours Herbst-Vinge was tied up and at the mercy of her three captors. 26-hours bound and gagged in the trunk with no food or water. 26-hours of beatings and abuse. In a twist of fate, the trio was busted Tuesday evening after running a red light. When police pulled the them over, Herbst-Vinge was discovered in the trunk. Next to her was a shovel. Had the cops not pulled the assholes over when they did, who knows how this nightmare would have ended for her.
In court on Friday, all three pleaded not guilty to charges of torture, kidnapping, robbery, willful cruelty to an elder causing great bodily injury, and theft from an elder. Nelson also pleaded not guilty to charges of carjacking, kidnapping during a carjacking, attempted murder, assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and burglary. More charges are possible. If convicted on the torture charges, they could be looking at life in prison. A hearing has been set for December 29 to determine if there is sufficient evidence for trial. They are all being held on $2 million bail, each. While Osborn and Nelson showed no emotion in the courtroom, Baker cried like the little bitch she is. She may not have thrown any of the punches, but she didn’t go out of her way to help the woman.
As of Friday, Herbst-Vinge was still hospitalized, it is uncertain when she will be released. Her face is swollen and bruised. Doctors believe she may have suffered a minor heart attack during the ordeal. Her family says that she is up and walking and in good spirits. My heart goes out to you Sandy…heal quickly. And as for the assholes that beat her, I hope that the boys in the big house show ‘em how it’s really done. Assholes.
