Police arrest man accused of kidnapping, sexually assaults in Bellingham
Police arrest man accused of kidnapping, sexually assaults
Police arrest man accused of kidnapping, sexually assaults
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Bellingham Police said Thursday they arrested a man accused of kidnapping two teenagers and sexually assaulting them before dropping them off in a secluded area without their shoes or belongings.
Investigators said it all started when the suspect asked the two girls for directions on May 27.
Investigators believe this man could be connected to two other similar crimes, one in Whatcom County and another outside the area. It’s why they said they’re desperate for the public’s help to find him.
As word gets out that Bellingham Police are looking for this man in connection to the kidnapping and sexual assault of two women he met at the Whatcom Transit Authority Cordata bus station, bus drivers like Cecil Bennett are terrified.
“It’s very unnerving to hear that,” said Bennett. “Definitely being on the bus stop, I feel on edge. I kind of delayed coming and leaving closer to when the bus was going to leave because I didn’t want to risk being here by myself.”
Bellingham Police said the man asked the women for directions and offered them a ride, but once they got in his car, it turned violent.
“He drove them to an undisclosed location, held a knife to them and said to them he was going to tie them up and if they called out he was going to harm them or their family,” said Bellingham Police Lt. Michael Johnston.
Police say the man took them to some barn, where he sexually assaulted them and then dropped them off in a secluded area, forcing them to walk three hours to a gas station in Lynden and then to their home in Bellingham for help.
“We’re concerned for the safety of anybody but of (those particularly in) Washington state and Whatcom County because we don’t know if we have some predator out there focusing on young women,” Johnston said.
“That’s really scary and usually when you’re with a friend,” you feel safer, said Cassandra Dejong, a bus passenger. “It’s scarier it would happen to two girls, not just one.”
Police said the two young women are still shaken that this man threatened to hurt them and their families. It’s why police said they have increased patrolling at these victims’ homes.
The suspect is being held on two counts of 1st degree kidnapping and two counts of 1st degree sexual assault. Police say he was arrested at his residence in Sumas.
"If you have any tips or information that you feel detectives should know, please call Detective Darla Wagner at 360-778-8767 or Detective Dan Kelsh 360-778-8690 or report it to the City's website tip line at www.cob.org/tips."