September 21, 2005

A 17 year old male from Pontiac is being held at the Oakland County jail pending the issuance of charges for abducting two female students. The suspect and the two victims are high school seniors at Avondale High school. One of the females, a 17 year old Auburn Hills resident, is the ex-girlfriend of the suspect. The second female, an 18 year old Rochester Hills resident, is a long time friend of the other female.

The abduction started in Pontiac on 9/17/05 around 11:40pm when the 18 year old female went to the suspect's residence to pick up shoes. The suspect got into the victim's car and produced a knife. The suspect forced the 18 year old to drive to his ex-girlfriend's house in Auburn Hills. Once at the ex-girlfriend's house, the suspect forced the 18 year old to call the ex-girlfriend and ask her to come outside to the car. The ex-girlfriend went outside and she was then forced into the car at knife point.

The suspect repeatedly threatened the two females with the knife. The suspect then drove the two females south to Tennessee. The suspect continuously threatened to kill one of the females if the other attempted to escape or if any attempt was made to notify police. The suspect talked to a cousin via a cell phone while he was driving. The cousin was able to talk the suspect into releasing the two victims. The suspect dropped the two females off at the airport in Chattanooga Tennessee on Sunday afternoon and he left the area in the 18 year old victim's car. The females called 911 and they were assisted by the Chattanooga police and the FBI.

Both females suffered minor physical injuries as a result of being assaulted by the suspect. The females flew home Sunday evening, 9/18/05.

The suspect turned himself in at the Oakland County jail late Tuesday, 9/20/2005. The victim's vehicle was later recovered in Georgia. The case has been presented to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office. It is expected that charges will be filed and the suspect will be arraigned on 9/22/05.

Auburn Hills' investigators were assisted by detectives from the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, Rochester Hills sub station, and the FBI.


Media Contact
Lieutenant James Manning
Public Information Officer
248-364-6860