** This information is preliminary and subject to change **
On April 7th at approximately 1800 hours, a 33-year-old male suspect abducted a 19-year-old female victim in the area of 23rd Avenue South and South Jackson Street. The suspect told the victim he was armed with a gun (although no gun was displayed), forced her into a car (which the suspect had stolen from a friend earlier in the day), and drove the victim to an apartment in the 6000 block of Lanham Place SW.
The suspect attempted to sexually assault the victim but was unsuccessful. He physically assaulted the victim and stole her money. The victim was able to escape from the apartment (with the suspect following) and call 911 on her cell phone.
Responding officers arrived on scene within one minute of being dispatched. Officers located and rescued the victim outside of the apartment. Officers then located and apprehended the suspect in the parking lot while he was attempting to flee the scene in a car.
The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment of her non-life-threatening injuries.
The suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Auto Theft, Investigation of Kidnapping, Investigation of Assault, Investigation of Robbery, and Investigation of Attempted Rape (all felony charges).
The suspect’s vehicle was impounded and taken to the evidence garage for processing. No gun was located. Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect and victim were not strangers, however it is unknown at this time to what extent they knew each other. This remains an active and on-going investigation.