Authorities: Man Abducted, Robbed Woman He Met Online
SPRING LAKE PARK, Minn. (WCCO) -- A man accused of abducting a woman from her home and robbing her Tuesday morning has been arrested.
According to the Sheriff's Office, the victim, who lives on the 3500 block of 81st Avenue in Spring Lake Park, reported being abducted by a man she previously met on an internet dating website. The attack happened at approximately 6:40 a.m.
Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old William John Kelo Hammac, whose last known address was on the 70 block of Germanium Avenue in St. Paul, Minn.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim told authorities that Hammac and she had met on the dating site about three weeks before the incident, and the two of them exchanged emails, text messages and phone calls many times before she agreed to meet him at her home.
At 1 a.m. Tuesday, he arrived at her house and stated he'd like to watch a movie. About 15 minutes later, the victim said he began making sexual advances towards her, which she declined by indicating she wasn't interested. Shortly after, she asked him to leave and he also said he should leave.
Later, the victim was awakened by Hammac, who allegedly struck her in the head and ordered her to the ground.
He then secured her with duct tape and placed her inside the trunk of her own car, which was parked in her unattached garage. After another assault, he drove her car with her inside the trunk, while making several stops along the way.
At one point, he stopped and allowed the victim out of the trunk. He then gave her his coat and cut the duct tape off her wrists. He then told her not to call the police and that they were in St. Paul. He stated that he had her house key and that he'd return to her house and kill her and her child if she contacted law enforcement, the complaint said.
Hammac then fled the area and the victim was able to drive back to her home. There, she discovered that her cell phone was stolen along with other electronics and other items. She contacted police soon after.
After authorities recovered Hammac's dating profile from the dating website, his identity was confirmed and the arrest warrant was issued. He was arrested without incident Wednesday and was taken to jail at 5:50 p.m.
"This is yet another reminder for people not to put themselves at unnecessary risk," said Sheriff James Stuart. "Follow internet safety protocols and meet in a public place and let a trusted friend know about your meeting."
Hammac has a significant criminal history, and was just released from prison for second-degree assault. There is also an indication he is mentally unstable, the Sheriff's Office said.
