A U-Haul sign, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Kirby Lee via AP)
Man allegedly terrorized woman during one-day kidnapping by forcing her into his U-Haul truck, stripping her of her clothes and stabbing her fingers with a pocket knife while driving her around all day . Maryland State Police said they arrested 62-year-old Dennis Bell on Saturday night.
Authorities have not identified the woman. Paramedics took her to a local hospital, they said.
Bell, a resident of Lanham, Maryland, met the woman at a convenience store on Minnesota Avenue Southeast in Washington, DC on Saturday morning, officers said.
According to cops, she said Bell forced her into the truck and threatened her with death if she did not comply with his demands. He rode all day with her sitting on the floor in the front seat.
“The victim informed police that she did not know her whereabouts throughout the day as Bell continued to drive,” authorities said.
Eventually, however, motorists reported a U-Haul truck driving erratically and hitting several cars parked in the Princess Garden Parkway area. The soldiers attempted to carry out a traffic stop, but Bell refused to stop, authorities said. There was a chase, according to the cops.
“A pursuit ensued and ended at Baltimore Avenue and Elm Street in Lanham where the vehicle broke down in a ditch,” they wrote.
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After Bell refused to get out of the vehicle, troopers managed to enter through the passenger side window and found the woman, who was unclothed and sitting on the floor with apparent finger injuries, cops said.
“Police immediately rescued the woman and covered her with an agency-provided jacket,” officers said. “Emergency medical services personnel responded to the scene and transported her by ambulance to hospital.”
Bell was uncooperative and declined to name himself, officers said. He faces charges of kidnapping, forcible confinement, first degree assault and fourth degree sexual offence. He is also charged with driving while impaired and possibly possessing crack cocaine.
From the font:
Anyone who may have witnessed the alleged abduction or has information relevant to the investigation is asked to contact the Criminal Law Enforcement Division by email at [email protected] or contact College Park Barracks. All calls and emails can be kept confidential.
Do you have a tip we should know? [email protected]
