Two charged with kidnapping man they met on Boston Common and took home, then wouldn't let go without payment, police say

A man who was having a good time chatting with two strangers he met on the Common early Tuesday went home with them - only to wind up being grabbed by the shirt collar and threatened with a knife unless he transfer money from his bank account to them, police say.

Damian Gray, 41, of Boston and Danisha Johnson, 43, now face charges of kidnapping and assault with a dangerous weapon, police say.

According to police, officers on patrol on the Common around 10 a.m. on Tuesday were approached by a man with no shoes or coat on, who recounted:

The victim explained that he had left a lounge in the Theater District at about 2:00 AM in when he befriended a male and female, later identified as Gray and Johnson and agreed to go back to their apartment. After some time had passed, the male and female began talking about crack cocaine, causing the victim to feel uncomfortable. When the victim attempted to leave, the male suspect grabbed him by his shirt collar and threatened him with a knife. The suspect then demanded the victim transfer an undisclosed amount money from his back account via an electronic money order. When the male suspect left to go to a nearby convenience store to retrieve the transferred money, the victim, now alone with the unarmed female suspect, seized the opportunity to flee the apartment.

Innocent, etc.