Woman Kidnapped At Arlington ATM Talks About Ordeal
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ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) - North Texas officials are hoping surveillance video will help them find a robber/kidnapper.
Investigators with the Arlington Police Department are still searching for the man who forced a woman into her trunk and kidnapped her from an ATM at the Wells Fargo Bank on North Collins Drive, on January 14.
Thursday they released surveillance video from the bank, in hopes someone will recognize the suspect and contact them.
The victim spoke exclusively with CBS 11 News just hours after the crime. Christin, 21, who didn't want to her last name to be known, said everything happened very quickly.
"It didn't seem like it was planned. It was a crime of opportunity...it could have happened to anyone," she said.
As the surveillance video shows, Christin was getting some cash when the man walked up behind her car, around the ATM, and near the driver's side window.
"It's always well-lit, so I can see when people are coming, but I didn't see this one coming," she said last week. "I just thought, I better remember everything about this guy so the police can catch him."
Christin explained that once she was ordered to get into the trunk at gunpoint the man drove around for hours. Arlington police believe he may have committed at least one other robbery with her inside the car.
When the car stopped in Euless ,and Christin believed the man had gotten out of the car, she reached reached for the emergency latch and was able to break free. "So I thought maybe I have a chance of getting out of here. So I found the unlock from the trunk from the inside and I looked around to see if there was anyone nearby."
Christin ran to a nearby QT for help. She had the following message for the suspect:
"Thank you I'm still alive... I hope you get caught."
Police hope the video will help in their search for the suspect who is described a black man in his early 20s, standing about 5'6" tall. At the time of the offense he had a short afro hairstyle and was wearing a grey hooded jacket or coat and jeans.
Anyone with information about the robbery and kidnapping or the suspect is asked to call Arlington police at 817-459-5739 or call Crime Stoppers at 817-469-TIPS (8477). Anyone calling can remain anonymous and can be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.
Safety Experts CBS11 spoke to said this crime is a prime example of why everyone should always be aware of their surroundings.
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