3 accused of faking kidnapping to mother for gambling money

BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. (WLS) -- Three people face felony disorderly conduct charges after they allegedly faked a kidnapping in order to get money to pay gambling debts, police said.

Joseph Vicario, 25, and his girlfriend Amanda Woods, 21, allegedly called Vicario's mother, Rose Vicario, on Friday saying that they were being held by unknown assailants. Police said Woods later told Rose Vicario that they had been kidnapped and were being held by individuals demanding $3,000.

Rose Vicario told Bridgeview police that during the call, she heard Woods pleading for money and what she thought was her son being beaten. She said the kidnapper's demands then increased from $3,000-$4,000.

She then contacted police, who pinged the cellphone moving in Oak Lawn and Chicago Ridge. Police issued a bulletin for Woods' vehicle, a white 2013 Mazda; police said they located the vehicle near 95th and Melvina, finding Woods, Joseph Vicario and 26-year-old Shane Ablan in the car unharmed.

All three were taken into custody and police said they confessed to the fake kidnapping as an effort to pay off gambling debts.