After shop burglarized, owner kidnaps suspected thief and smashes hands with hammer

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The owner of a Bridge City auto shop was arrested after authorities said he kidnapped a man he suspected of stealing thousands of dollars worth of tools from his business and then used a hammer to smash the man’s hands.

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The thief made off with drills, socket sets, vehicle jump-starter boxes and other tools worth a total of $7,000, Rivarde said.

Baxter checked his surveillance cameras and said he spotted a man he knew as “Dorian” stealing the property, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Baxter told investigators he had recently hired Dorian for a day to clean up around the business.

Deputies identified the suspect as Dorian Lewis, 39, and obtained a warrant for his arrest, Rivarde said.

But Baxter apparently found Lewis before deputies could, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Lewis told investigators Baxter spotted him at a Bridge City store on Thursday (Dec. 5) and forced him into a vehicle at gunpoint, Rivarde said. Baxter then took Lewis back to the shop where he allegedly beat Lewis and hit both of Lewis’ hands with a hammer, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

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