BELTSVILLE, Md. — An 18-year-old man from Burtonsville is facing charges after allegedly kidnapping a woman on Sunday evening, according to police.
Prince George’s County officers responded to the area of Wexhall Drive and Greencastle Road around 6:30 p.m. following reports of a woman being forced into a black Infiniti sedan. Witnesses told police they saw a man grab the woman and drive off with her.
Before the vehicle fled, the victim reportedly managed to throw her purse out of the car, which helped officers identify her.
The suspect was identified as Joel Akakpo, 18. As police searched for the vehicle, another report came in from Flintrock Drive about a woman screaming for help from inside a similar car. According to a witness, the victim temporarily locked Akakpo out of the vehicle, but he allegedly broke a window with a rock to regain entry and drove off again.
The car was later discovered abandoned on Medallion Drive, with a shattered window, but the victim was not found at the scene.
The next day, officers located Akakpo and the victim together on Almanac Court. He was taken into custody without further incident.
The victim suffered minor injuries related to the abduction and broken glass.
Akakpo is currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit and faces charges of kidnapping and second-degree assault. Authorities have not confirmed whether there was a prior relationship between the suspect and the victim.
