Regional Briefing

CRIME

Last 2 Sentenced in Kidnapping

A federal judge sentenced two men to 10 years and one month in prison Tuesday for their roles in the brutal kidnapping and near-killing of a Laurel businessman last year.

Ryan Wheeler, 28, and Darrin McCaulley, 22, had pleaded guilty to kidnapping Gregory Lyles, 49, the owner of Final Touch Detailing in Laurel, on Sept. 24, 2008. They were the last of six men to be sentenced in the case by U.S. District Judge Paul L. Friedman.

Lyles was abducted, repeatedly stabbed and critically wounded during the kidnapping and robbery. Several of the assailants tried to shoot him in a Southeast Washington field, Lyles has said, but the pistol jammed. Prosecutors wrote in court papers that Lyles was lucky to have survived the attack.

-- Del Quentin Wilber

8 Car Break-Ins in Leesburg

Eight car break-ins reported Sunday in Leesburg have the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office urging residents not to leave valuables visible in their cars.

Owners reported GPS devices, cameras and cash missing from cars parked along blocks of Meadowood Court, Drummond Place, Cardston Place, Malloch Place and Potomac Station Drive.

Most of the vehicles were unlocked, and some of the items were recovered nearby. A similar series of break-ins occurred in Waterford last week.

The sheriff's office is seeking information about the thefts. A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information that leads to an arrest and indictment, authorities said.