A traffic stop Friday night in Lanham, Maryland, led to the rescue of a kidnapping victim, police said.
Dennis Bell, 62, of Lanham, was arrested Friday after College Park Barrack police officers received multiple calls about a U-Haul truck driving erratically and striking parked vehicles. Responding police found the victim sitting on the ground with no clothes on and with apparent injuries to her fingers, according to a report. Press release by the Maryland State Police.
The name and age of the victim were not released. A state police spokesman said the victim is an adult female, but declined to answer further questions Saturday, citing the active and ongoing investigation.
Police said Bell allegedly made contact with the victim at a DC convenience store Friday morning.
“The victim told police that Bell pushed her into the U-Haul truck and threatened to kill her if she did not comply with his demands,” the statement said.
“Bell reportedly drove all day with the victim sitting on the floor in the front seat. The victim reported that while in Bell’s truck, he removed her clothing and used a pocket knife to stab her fingers,” the statement said. “The victim reported to police that she did not know where she was all day as Bell continued to drive.”
Police began receiving calls about Bell’s erratic driving around 9:45 p.m. Friday. He refused to stop after officers attempted a traffic stop, the agency said.
The truck was eventually disabled in a ditch. Bell refused verbal orders to exit the U-Haul. Police officers entered through the passenger side window and discovered the victim. She was taken to the hospital for medical treatment, police said.
Bell was uncooperative and refused to identify himself to police. He was arrested and taken to the hospital and later transported to the Upper Marlboro Department of Corrections.
He faces 14 criminal charges including first degree assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, fourth degree sex offense, possession of crack cocaine and driving while intoxicated. She also faces 19 trafficking charges related to the incident. It is not clear if she has obtained a lawyer.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com