(Noon) Wal-Mart kidnapping update

Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Meridian Police Department investigators have decided that the report last month from a 22-year-old who claimed to be kidnapped from a local Wal-Mart was “unfounded.”

On March 20, a 22-year-old woman said she was kidnapped as she exited the Super Wal-Mart near Bonita Lakes. She told police a man, dressed in all black, got into her vehicle with her, placed a handgun to her head and told her to drive.

According the to victim she then got onto Interstate 20/59 traveling east bound, and was attacked by the man. The unidentified victim also told police the suspect tried to sexually assault her before she told him she was two months pregnant.

“After a thorough investigation this was found to be a falsely reported incident and seems to have no connection with the Wal-Mart gang initiation hoax which had been circulating around the country days prior to this incident,” Capt. James Sharpe said in a prepared news release.

“This incident has been classified as unfounded with the Meridian Police Department but because of information gathered during the MPD’s investigation which indicated this crime may have been committed in the county, the complainant was referred to Sheriff’s Office. Investigators with the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office were also contacted.

Also because of information gathered from the investigation, Investigators with the Meridian Police Department Criminal Investigation Division have decided not to sign charges on the complainant for falsely reporting a crime which carries misdemeanor penalties.

The woman also deeply apologizes to the citizens of Meridian the Police Department for any panic caused by this report, Sharpe said.







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