Police: Man threatened to kill everyone at Columbus hotel after kidnapping sons at gunpoint

The man accused of kidnapping his wife and two children from a Columbus hotel in July allegedly threatened to kill everyone at the hotel after the incident, according to testimony Thursday in Columbus Recorder’s Court.

Joey Faulk, 32, of Moblie, Ala. pleaded not guilty to three counts each of kidnapping and aggravated assault. He was ordered held in the Muscogee County Jail under bonds totaling

Columbus police were called to the Clarion Inn at 2800 Manchester Expressway around 10:07 p.m. July 2 to investigate a kidnapping.

Detective Darrell Middlebrooks said the hotel clerk saw Faulk standing over his wife in the parking lot, beating her as he held their 2-year-old. He allegedly pulled out a gun and aimed it at the boy and yelled that he would kill their kids.

Authorities said Faulk forced his wife and two of their boys, ages 1 and 5, into the truck by holding them at gunpoint. He allegedly drove toward Manchester Expressway, leaving their 10-year-old boy behind.

Middlebrooks said officials spotted the vehicle, but they lost sight of it during a pursuit.

Detectives said they spoke to the husband and wife over the phone, and Faulk threatened to kill police. He allegedly called the hotel clerk threatening kill everyone at the Clarion Inn, but didn’t return to the hotel.

Middlebrooks said the wife was eventually able to escape the incident, but he didn’t elaborate. An Amber Alert was issued on July 2 for Faulk and the two children.

Faulk, who didn’t return to the hotel, was arrested the following day in Spanish Fort, Ala. His children were found safe in the same city.

This story was originally published September 28, 2017 at 1:51 PM with the headline "Police: Man threatened to kill everyone at Columbus hotel after kidnapping sons at gunpoint."