Home Invasion Robberies: Kidnapping and Hostage Taking in America

San Diego, CA, February 09, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Young or old, rich or poor. Violent crime victims come in all shapes and sizes, ages and yes, tax brackets. The Rady family, one of the wealthiest families in San Diego who donated 60 million dollars to Children’s Hospital that now bares the family name, were kidnapped, held hostage and terrorized in their own home yesterday. Yet this home invasion, kidnap & hostage taking style robbery isn't a crime we are unfamiliar with. Michelle Renee author of Held Hostage: The True Story of a Mother and Daughter's Kidnapping, knows first hand what the Rady's are going through.  The home invasion crime against her daughter and herself have some striking similarities.

"Burning vomit crept into my mouth. I swallowed. My hollow stomach was twisting and gnawing as I lay frozen in my bed ... I could smell the dank stench of them. I could hear their loathsome voices and I felt them crawling under my skin. I was afraid to close my eyes and I was afraid not to. I knew it didn't make any difference. They would always be there long after they were gone, penetrating the veils of my sleep, growling, 'Shut up ----, or we'll pistol-whip you in front of your kid.'"

So begins Michelle Renee’s book, Held Hostage: The True Story of a Mother and Daughter’s Kidnapping. In November 2000, Michelle Renee, an Assistant Vice President at one of the nation’s largest financial institutions, was home playing video games with her seven-year-old daughter, Breea, when three masked gunmen broke into her Southern California hilltop house. Duct taped and tormented with bombs placed on their bodies, they were threatened with murder if Michelle didn't rob the vault of the bank she managed. After an intense 14 hours held hostage, Michelle pulled off the daring bank heist. But this was just the beginning of her nightmare.

Michelle Renee offers a unique, first person perspective, information and insight about violent crime victimization, being held hostage, the aftermath of such a terrifying ordeal and best practices for recovery. From the crime, through the aftermath and trail, this is a guest that will deliver a powerful message.

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