The Montesano Police Department is trying to find a blue Chevrolet Avalanche pickup after the driver attempted to abduct a woman in Montesano.
At about 8:15 p.m. on May 16, a 21-year-old woman was walking on Church Street in Montesano. As she was approaching McBryde Avenue, a blue Chevrolet Avalanche pulled up in front of her. The driver got out and walked around to the back of the vehicle.
“He said something about a flat tire,” Montesano Police Chief Brett Vance said. “She just sort of said, ‘Oh,’ and dismissed it.”
It was at that point, Vance says, that the man opened the passenger door and put a gun to the woman’s midsection. He grabbed her and tried to force her into the passenger seat. A struggle ensued.
Both the victim and the suspect fell to the ground.
The whole time, the victim was screaming.
After they fell, the man got up, climbed across the passenger seat, took the wheel and sped off, Vance said.
“We were actually able to confirm with three different neighbors that they heard the victim screaming. One person looked up and saw the vehicle taking off, and another neighbor saw her on the ground,” Vance said.
The police department, using video surveillance, knows that the vehicle came down Third Street and left town via West Pioneer Avenue.
“We’re reviewing any and all video. We’re trying to get video of the plate, or a partial plate, or something else (for identification),” Vance said.
The suspect is described as a 6-foot male in his late 20s or early 30s believed to be light-skinned Hispanic.
The suspect, when apprehended, faces several charges.
Vance said his department has been focused on finding the suspect and the vehicle, and they’ve also spent time making the community aware. The police department notified the school district last night.
“This is not a normal occurrence in Montesano,” Vance said. “This morning we were out. We had myself, Lt. Jay Staten and our daytime officer patrolling for the school zones.”
Vance said residents should make themselves familiar with their surroundings.
“If you see this type of vehicle, be aware of what’s going on around you,” he said.
