A text message sent to a neighboring county's 911 center last Wednesday set off a chain of events that ended with Van Buren County deputies pulling over a speeding vehicle and pulling a woman out of what officials called a volatile situation.
According to the Van Buren County Sheriff's Department, officers initiated a felony traffic stop.
Woman Pulled From Vehicle, Treated by EMS
Once the vehicle was stopped, the alleged victim was removed from the situation safely, per the sheriff's office. Van Buren EMS staff were on hand to provide the woman with immediate medical attention.
The sheriff's office said the alleged perpetrator was taken into custody on charges of aggravated kidnapping and drug-related offenses, and that the case is now proceeding through the judicial system. No further details about the suspect's identity, the originating county of the 911 call, or the vehicle involved have been released.
Sheriff Praises Response Team
Chief Deputy Clendenon, one of the officers credited with spotting the vehicle during last week's stop, has been recognized by the department before. In March 2024, Sheriff Brock named him and Deputy Brady Woodson Co-Deputies of the Quarter, according to Sparta Live. That same report noted Clendenon had previously arrested two alleged car thieves and freed a 16-year-old runaway described as a victim of human trafficking.
