Chinese nationals charged in Porsche-related, failed kidnapping

A federal grand jury yesterday indicted two Chinese nationals, one living in Malden, in a kidnapping plot to steal a Providence man's Porsche SUV.

The FBI charges the two did manage to kidnap the man and an acquaintance on April 2 as they brandished a knife and a stun gun. But things went downhill for them, the FBI says:

The female victim was allegedly bound, placed into a suitcase and warned not to call police. She later freed herself and sought the assistance of a neighbor. The male victim was allegedly assaulted, bound, blindfolded and forced into a large storage bag. His attackers then allegedly carried him to a garage which housed his vehicle, a 2011 Porsche, placed him inside the vehicle and then drove him from the area. According to court documents, the victim was later placed into a second car, driven to an apartment in Malden, Mass., and confined inside a bathroom where he was restrained with duct tape and plastic ties.

During the alleged abduction and assault, the victim tried to negotiate with his kidnappers, but no demands were made of him. After being left alone in the apartment by his alleged abductors, the victim was able to free himself about two hours later and sought help from an apartment manager.

Zhengpeng Hu, 25, living in Malden, faces arraignment on Aug. 30. His alleged colleague, Zhengpeng Cui, managed to evade police and is believed to have fled the country, the FBI says.

Innocent, etc.