Woman breaks free of abductor in Jamestown drama
JAMESTOWN -- A woman managed to break free from her abductor on West Second Street early today, after spotting a stopped patrol vehicle.
Jeremy Q. Smathers, 24, of Winsor Street, was charged with kidnapping.
A sergeant with Jamestown police was in his patrol car about 6:40 a.m. at Second and Jefferson street, where the woman ran toward his vehicle.
"Help! Help! He has a gun!" she yelled.
The 21-year-old victim told police the gunman grabbed her on her way to work, held her arm and stuck his gun in her side as he directed her along West Second Street toward the old train substation, police said.
The ordeal lasted about 15 minutes before she spotted the patrol car and risked the break, police said.
The sergeant spotted the gunman running away and contacted other police agencies. Smathers was captured on East Fourth and Monroe streets -- about 10 minutes after the woman flagged down the patrol car, police said.
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