Man Holds Trailer Hostage to Repay Debt

Enid, OK - Man allegedly stole another's custom trailer and held it hostage in an attempt to resolve an outstanding debt; Debtor turns the tables.

According to court records, an Enid resident, identified only as 'Darin,' owed Kremlin resident, John J. Purdue, 36, $1,200.

Purdue decided to take matters into his own hands when he removed a custom made smoker built on a customized dual axle trailer belonging to Darin.

Darin returned home February 5, to find the trailer gone. A neighbor allegedly gave Darin the description of a truck seen hauling the trailer away.

Darin immediately recognized the description as that of a truck belonging to Purdue.

According to police, Darin placed a call to Purdue to confront him about the missing trailer. The telephone conversation was recorded by police.

Purdue denied taking the trailer but said "if Darin brought him his money then he might be able to find it."

The two agreed to meet at Larry's Midway later that evening. Purdue warned Darin, "if 'them damn cops' were there then he would say he didn't know where the trailer was."

Police provided Darin with a digital recorder and instructed him to call them on his cell phone and leave the line open.

At the meeting, Darin gave Purdue a check for the money owed. Purdue asked when Darin's bank opened in the morning and said as soon as he had his cash Darin could get his trailer.

Purdue then told Darin his trailer would be in safe keeping until the debt was repaid.

The next day Purdue cashed the check and allegedly dropped off Darin's trailer.

But, just when Purdue thought he'd gotten the last laugh, the Garfield County district attorney filed felony concealing stolen property charges against him.

A warrant for Purdue's arrest was issued this past Monday.