Washington Co. man accused of kidnapping woman in West Virginia

WHEELING, W.Va. — A Washington County man is facing kidnapping charges after police said a woman jumped out of a moving car to escape from him. %

%

Investigators told WTOV that 51-year-old Thomas Walters of Atlasburg refused to let a woman go after he offered her a ride in Wellsburg, West Virginia Saturday.

The woman told police Walters punched her in the face as they entered Wheeling.

“She made a phone call to her boyfriend saying, ‘I’ll be there. I’m on my way,’ and asked multiple times for Mr. Walters to let her out of the vehicle,” said a witness who chose not to be identified.

The witness said she’s been upset about the crime for days, especially the violent ending.

“She opened her car door and she was going to try and jump. He grabbed her by the hair, pulled her back in and beat her more until he picked up speed and pushed her out,” the witness said.

She then jumped from the car. Police found the woman lying in the roadway with minor injuries.

Walters was arrested and taken to the Northern Regional Jail in West Virginia. He faces life in prison if convicted.

Cox Media Group