Police report: Springfield woman jumps from moving van to avoid being kidnapped

A Springfield woman told police she had to jump from a moving van after she accepted a ride from a stranger, a Springfield police report says.

Springfield police began their investigation at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night. No arrests have been made in the case, according to the report.

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Police responded to the 300 block of Forest Avenue in reference to an abduction.

“Upon arrival medics were treating (a woman) and preparing to transport her to Springfield Regional Medical Center for her injuries,” the report says. “She advised at that point that her injuries were from jumping out of the suspect’s vehicle.”

The woman told police that she was walking home when she was approached at Sheridan Avenue and East Street by the suspect who offered her a ride.

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“She said he seemed harmless so she accepted the ride,” the report says. “She advised that she rode in the second row of the minivan because she didn’t know the suspect.”

She gave him directions to her house but soon realized he didn’t intend to take her there, the report says.

“She said that after he made several turns that were taking her away from the direction toward her house she advised him to stop,” the report says. “She said she told him to stop or she was jumping out. She said that after she made that statement suspect sped up.”

They were at Lexington Avenue and Greenmount Avenue when she opened the sliding door and jumped from the van.

“She ran to (a home) and knocked on their door for help,” the report says.

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Officers noted in the report that the victim did have injuries including abrasions on her left ankle, left side and arm. She also had a large laceration to her left elbow.

The investigation is ongoing.

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