cyborg_monkey's Journal: Naked vigilante strips teen

By JONATHAN JENKINS, TORONTO SUN

Get that crimefighter a cape. A naked vigilante in Hamilton -- who interrupted a midnight break and enter in the buff -- is accused of stripping the teenaged burglar to his underwear, tying him up and whipping him with a belt on June 1.

"The accused was sleeping and he was surprised by the intruder," Hamilton police Det.-Sgt. Tom Andrew said.

"If it had stopped at that point, then he would have used enough reasonable force." But he had a reason not to call cops -- he's wanted for alleged criminal activity in 1998 and 1999.

BANDIT DUCT-TAPED

And police believe the 17-year-old was trying to get at the remnants of a hydroponic marijuana grow operation in the house on King St. E. in Stoney Creek.

After the teen was stripped, tied and whipped, he was duct-taped and held for about five hours, police say, then driven to Queenston Rd. and let go.

Cops got a search warrant for the home and allegedly found the teen's clothes and keys, hydroponic equipment and a small amount of drugs.

Jeremy Stephen Ramey, 25, is charged with robbery, possession of stolen property, assault, assault with a weapon and forcible confinement.

He's also been charged with failing to appear, uttering threats, mischief and assault from 1999, and possessing stolen cars from 1998.

The teenager, who suffered some bruises, has not yet been formally charged, Andrew said.