Two men held in Vancouver kidnapping, robbery

Two Vancouver men appeared in Clark County Superior Court on Tuesday on suspicion of luring a man to a residence in the city’s Image neighborhood and then assaulting, robbing and threatening to kill him because they suspected he was “a snitch.”

The victim, James Braithwate, was punched, kicked and burned with a methamphetamine pipe, causing a second-degree burn, according to court papers.

Raymond J. Femling, 31, and Jason E. Stinson, 31, face charges of first-degree kidnapping, second-degree assault and first-degree robbery.

Judge Gregory Gonzales held both men in the Clark County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail apiece. He appointed Clark Fridley to represent Stinson. Femling indicated he plans to hire his own attorney. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Jan. 13, while Stinson is set to be arraigned Jan. 9.

According to court documents, Stinson invited Braithwate to his residence, 12108 N.E. 40th Circle. When Braithwate arrived, Femling and another man punched and kicked Braithwate multiple times “because they thought he was snitch,” Vancouver police Officer Adam Millard wrote in a probable cause affidavit.

After burning Braithwate’s arm, Stinson then retrieved a pillowcase and a rope, and the two defendants threatened to kill him, the officer wrote.

The suspects robbed Braithwate of $2,600, all of his possessions and all of his clothing, the affidavit said.

Femling told Braithwate that he would kill him if he “talked to anybody,” Millard wrote. Stinson then followed Braithwate home “to ensure he drove home and to keep him in fear,” Millard wrote.