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Pizza order foils Lampert kidnappers

January 13, 2003

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HAMDEN, Conn. -- A hunger for money drove three men to kidnap a wealthy Connecticut businessman, but their hunger for pizza got them caught.

According to the New York Post, three alleged kidnappers abducted hedge-fund mogul Edward Lampert on Jan. 10, from the Greenwich headquarters of his investment company, ESL Investments. The trio reportedly demanded a $5 million ransom.

On Jan. 12, police were tipped off to the kidnappers' location when they used Lampert's credit card to order a pizza. Police traced the order to a Days Inn hotel room in Hamden, Conn., where Lampert was being held.

After police arrived at the hotel, they talked the suspects, Shemone Gordon, 23, Devon Harris, 19, and an unidentified underage teen, into giving up.

Lampert, who is worth an estimated $800 million, was freed unharmed.