A 40-year-old man is facing kidnapping and assault charges after witnesses watched him violently attack a woman, tear her clothing and force her into a vehicle in Pierce County. The woman was rescued near the suspect vehicle, treated by fire personnel and taken to a local hospital, and detectives tracked the suspect until deputies stopped a northbound vehicle on Interstate 5 two days later.
The Pierce County Sheriff's Office said the attack unfolded Monday night near 136th Street South and Pacific Avenue South. Multiple witnesses called 911 after seeing the man assault the woman and force her into a vehicle, according to the department's blotter account.
Witnesses Called 911 As The Vehicle Fled
The suspect vehicle left before deputies arrived, but the woman was later found near it. Fire personnel provided medical care and transported her to a local hospital, while the sheriff's office said its domestic violence unit took over the investigation.
Deputies and a K9 searched for the suspect that night but did not locate him. Detectives later identified him and tracked his whereabouts, according to the sheriff's update.
Arrest Came During An I-5 Traffic Stop
On Wednesday, deputies received information that the suspect was riding as a passenger in a northbound vehicle on Interstate 5. They conducted a traffic stop, found him seated in the back seat and took him into custody without incident after he complied with commands.
A female driver and male front-seat passenger were briefly detained and released. The sheriff's summary said neither person was involved in the kidnapping, while the 40-year-old suspect was booked into Pierce County Jail on charges of kidnapping and assault.
What The Charges Mean Under Washington Law
The public summary does not list the degree of the kidnapping or assault charges. Washington law classifies first-degree kidnapping as a Class A felony, but the sheriff's account did not say whether that degree is alleged here; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Help Is Available In Pierce County
The sheriff's office said domestic violence can become life-threatening quickly and urged anyone witnessing violence or immediate danger to call 911. The Crystal Judson Family Justice Center in Tacoma provides domestic-violence assistance and lists a helpline at (253) 798-4166.
