On July 27th, 2020 Mesa Police Detectives were informed that a defendant, later identified as 59-yr old Lance Rohrer, was planning to abduct a 12-year old and hold the child for ransom.
Investigators obtained numerous audio recordings of Rohrer speaking to another person actively planning the abduction of the 12 year old. The 12-year old is the son of the car dealership owner where Rohrer works. Rohrer then met with an undercover detective and began making plans regarding the abduction to include a ransom of 2 million dollars and the use of a cheap motel. Rohrer purchased three burner phones to be used during the planning and commission of the crime and provided the undercover detective with the victim name and a possible address.
Rohrer was heard multiple times talking about killing the kid and being okay with it if the abduction plans did not work. On August 26, 2020 Mesa Police Officers placed Rohrer into custody and charged him with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and conspiracy to commit theft by extortion.
We are proud of the thorough investigation conducted by our detectives and grateful for the good working relationship we have with our federal law enforcement partners. At the request of the Mesa Police Department, the FBI Phoenix Field Office assisted with investigative and technical resources.
