A local Hillsdale woman, 18, was abducted by a man possessing a gun while walking alone on Hillsdale Street just north of Carleton Road Feb. 23 around 11:15 p.m. The woman escaped unharmed shortly after and reported the attempted kidnapping to the city police.
She told the police an unknown white male forced her into his parked car on Hillsdale Street and drove a short distance until he came to a stop near Arch Avenue and Carleton Road, where she managed to escape, according to a Feb. 24 police press release.
The unidentified man is reported to be around 6 feet 3 inches tall, with a thin build, short brown hair, clean shaven, and in his 20s. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a light-colored, Carhartt-style jacket with a patch sewn on the left sleeve near the elbow. The vehicle’s make and model are unknown, but it is reported to be a newer, silver four-door car.
Hillsdale Detective Bradley Martin said it is an on-going investigation and no suspects have been identified. The police have a composite sketch of the suspect, but is not releasing it at this time. While the victim is remaining unidentified, Martin did confirm that she is not a Hillsdale College student. He encouraged anyone with information to contact the Hillsdale Police Department at 517-437-6481.
Director of Hillsdale College Security Bill Whorley said incidents like this are rare in Hillsdale, and he remembers very few during his years with Hillsdale law enforcement. In a campus email, he encouraged students to travel with others, carry cell phones, and call a friend or security for a ride if needed.
