SOUTH BAY : 5 New Yorkers Charged in 2 Kidnaping-Murders

Five New York suspects, including a criminal defense lawyer, have been charged with kidnaping and murdering two Redondo Beach men who disappeared from a Torrance cellular phone shop in October.

Authorities were baffled after Peter Kovach, 26, and Ted Gould, 29, disappeared from Galleria Telecom in October, and their bodies were discovered several days later in a San Diego parking lot.

But on Monday, authorities charged attorney Gary Friedman, 38; his brother, Kenneth Friedman, 40, and Ruben Fernandez, 28, with two counts of kidnaping for ransom and two counts of murder in the case. Also charged were Jason Boodran, 21, and Carlos Rodriguez. All but Boodran were in custody, officials said Tuesday.

Officials have been tight-lipped about how and why they believe the Torrance kidnaping occurred.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Anne Ingalls said there is “a good possibility” that the case involved drugs, but would not say whether it involved a drug deal or a robbery.

The charges also include special circumstances allegations that could result in the death penalty, she said.

All of the men but Boodran also have been indicted on extortion charges in New York in a separate case, and will face charges there before being tried in the Torrance case, authorities said.