MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A 32-year-old Edina man is in custody after he allegedly held a 19-year-old woman he met online against her will near Eau Claire, Wis.
On Tuesday at 12:51 p.m., the Wisconsin State Patrol received information that a woman was being held against her will by a man. The victim was being held in a black Chevrolet Equinox as they traveled westbound on Interstate 94. During this time, the victim had limited communication, but was able to send text messages.
The Wisconsin State Patrol positioned vehicles along Interstate 94 between Eau Claire and Hudson, Wis. in an effort to locate the vehicle.
Soon, the woman convinced the man she needed to use the restroom and that they should get off at the next exit. There, near Elk Mound, she made a phone call to law enforcement.
Authorities located the vehicle, the suspect and victim at the Holiday Gas Station near Exit 59.
The female victim, of Whitehall, Wis., was located unharmed inside the gas station.
The man was located next to his vehicle and was turned over to Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Department.
