Kidnaper-Robber of Paraplegic Gets 2 Life Terms

A 38-year-old Pacoima man who kidnaped a paraplegic and the disabled man’s girlfriend, then robbed them of more than $26,000, was sentenced Tuesday to two consecutive life terms, plus 12 years, in state prison.

Harold Elliott Hayes, who committed the crimes only two months after he had been paroled on a 1968 murder conviction, will be ineligible for release for at least 20 years, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Linda B. Greenberg.

Hayes was convicted in February by Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Richard A. Adler of two counts of kidnaping, two counts of residential robbery, one count of burglary, one count of assault and one count of conspiracy to kidnap.

Hayes’ niece had worked as a nursing aide to the victim, Scott Davis, 31, a paraplegic, and helped plan the robbery, Greenberg said. The niece composed a “laundry list” of items that her uncle could steal from Davis, including clothing, jewelry, a stereo and camera equipment, Greenberg said.

Hayes and two accomplices forced their way at knifepoint into the victims’ Canoga Park condominium in March, 1985.

The two accomplices held Davis inside the residence while Hayes kidnaped Davis’ girlfriend, Michelle Lissak, 25, and forced her to drive to automated teller machines at three different banks and withdraw a total of $600.

At one bank in Northridge, the computer screen revealed a balance of $100,000 in Davis’ savings account, Greenberg said. Hayes then returned to the condominium, kidnaped Davis, and drove him to the bank, where he was forced to withdraw $26,000 over the counter.

3 Years for Niece

Hayes’ niece was convicted of robbery and sentenced to three years in prison, Greenberg said. The two accomplices, who were juveniles, were convicted of robbery and sentenced to the California Youth Authority, Greenberg said.

Adler said he chose to impose consecutive life sentences, in part, because of the degree of cruelty involved in the crime.

“If there ever was a vulnerable victim, it was Scott Davis, in his wheelchair, immobile,” Adler said.