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Baltimore police sergeant accused of extortion, kidnapping

BALTIMORE — A Baltimore City police sergeant working on the force’s homicide unit is accused of extortion and kidnapping, authorities said Thursday.

James Lloyd, 45, of Baltimore, was arrested by Baltimore County police detectives, WJZ reported.

Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said Lloyd has been suspended without pay, the television station reported.

Harrison added that an internal affairs investigation has been launched, The Baltimore Sun reported. If found guilty of the charges, Lloyd could face up to 40 years in prison, the newspaper reported.

Baltimore County police detectives said they received information about a dispute involving a home improvement job, where Lloyd hired the victim to complete a project at his home, WBAL reported.

“When Lloyd became unsatisfied with the work, he approached the victim and demanded a refund,” Baltimore County Police said in a statement. “During the dispute, the suspect identified himself as a police officer. At one point, Lloyd made the victim get into his car with him and go to a bank to get a certified check for an agreed amount of refund. The victim stated he was in fear of being arrested and complied with Lloyd’s demands.”

Lloyd was a lead investigator in the death of homicide detective Sean Suiter in 2017, WBAL reported. After the Suiter case, Lloyd moved to the homicide unit, where he tracked down witnesses for the department, The Sun reported. Last year, Lloyd he grossed more than $138,000, according to the city’s salary database.

Harrison said in a statement Thursday night that three other homicide detectives were allegedly involved.

“This evening, I was made aware of the arrest of a police sergeant assigned to our homicide unit, in Baltimore County,” Harrison said. “I have ordered the suspension of the sergeant without pay. In addition, I am aware that there are three other BPD homicide detectives, who are allegedly involved in this incident. These three detectives have had their police powers suspended and are assigned to administrative duties, pending an internal investigation.”

Harrison referred other questions to the Baltimore County Police Department.