HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 11-24 Woman abducted outside Maplewood bar unharmed PIONEER PRESS Woman abducted outside Maplewood bar unharmed
Pioneer Press
Updated:11242014 11:44:01 AM CST TwinCities.com
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A 25-year-old woman was abducted by a man who jumped into her car outside a Maplewood bar early Sunday morning
and threatened with sexual assault,police say.
The woman told police a man with a gun entered the passenger side of her car as she got into the driver's seat at
approximately 2:40 a.m.,in the parking lot of the Dog House Bar,2029 Woodlyn Ave.
The man ordered the woman to drive to a parking lot in the 2700 block of Hazelwood Street and to undress.
But after a short time,he did not sexually assault her.Instead,he apologized and denied targeting her specifically and left
the car.
Once the man left,the woman fled a nearby fast-food restaurant and called police.
The man was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt and pants and a dark ski mask with a red stripe near the top.He was a
white or light-skinned male,between 30 and 50 years of age,with a thin build,the victim told police.
He did threaten violence if the victim failed to give him sex,she told police.The suspect also exposed himself to the
woman.
Investigators are looking at possible correlations between this incident and similar incidents in Maplewood and North St.
Paul,reported in February 2014.In those cases,a man entered the passenger door of vehicles driven by women but did
not threaten to rape the victims.
Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell cautioned that the case be taken seriously.
'We believe the suspect in this case poses a very real threat,"he said."Investigators are processing the victim's vehicle
with the possibility that suspect DNA may be recoverable,but until this suspect is arrested,we recommend increased
safety diligence and active reporting of suspicious activity,"he added.
While people can never completely protect themselves from sexual assault,Maplewood police suggest these simple things
that can reduce the risk of being sexually assaulted:
—Be aware of your surroundings.Knowing where you are and who is around you may help you to find a way to get out of a
bad situation.
--Try to avoid isolated areas.It is more difficult to get help if no one is around.
--Walk with purpose.Even if you don't know where you are going,act like you do.
--Trust your instincts.If a situation or location feels unsafe or uncomfortable,it probably isn't the best place to be.
--Try not to load yourself down with packages or bags as this can make you appear more vulnerable.
--Make sure you have your charged cellphone and cab money.
—Don't allow yourself to be isolated with someone you don't trust or don't know.
—Avoid putting music headphones in both ears so that you can be more aware of your surroundings,particularly if you are
walking alone.
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