Daughter uses kidnap ploy to try to get money from her mom
BUTLER TWP — The story sounded scary and potentially life threatening.
A 31-year-old Butler County woman texted her mother reporting that she was being held captive for a drug debt and needed money fast.
The daughter pleaded with her mother to deliver the purported $180 ransom to the McDonald’s restaurant at the Butler Commons shopping plaza in Butler Township.
The concerned mother wasted no time — she called police.
But only after troopers got to the designated drop point about 11 a.m. Wednesday, and found the supposed captive woman in her vehicle with a man, did they learn the whole story was a hoax.
Tashina C. Booher of Franklin Township admitted the ploy to get money and identified the man in her company as a drug dealer, according to court documents.
Police arrested Booher and Charles A. Thomas, 27, of Pittsburgh. Both are charged with felony and misdemeanor drug possession. Booher also is charged with making a false report.
They are in the Butler County Prison on $50,000 bail each.
After recanting her initial story, Booher told investigators that she had met Thomas that week while looking to buy crack cocaine.
She said she bought two bags of crack from Thomas and drove him around in her vehicle while he sold crack and heroin, according to court documents.
Police said that when they searched Booher’s purse Wednesday they found 58 stamp bags of suspected heroin.
Thomas told investigators that he met Booher two days ago and that she provided him with transportation. He then quit talking, and asked for an attorney.
