Indiana Woman Outsmarts Kidnapper, Drives Him to Police Station During Abduction

BLOOMINGTON, IN —A 25-year-old motorist reportedly escaped a gunman who ordered her to drive to an apartment complex by taking him, instead, directly to the Bloomington Police Department.

According to the authorities, at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, a woman bolted into the station lobby and announced she had just been held at gunpoint, and that her would-be captor was in the car. Police said that after the woman ran off, the suspect drove away in her vehicle. Officers promptly tracked down the car and arrested Travis Moore, 36, on multiple charges.

The woman had allegedly known Moore for about 15 years, and she said they recently rekindled a friendship via social media. After driving Moore to Bloomington from Mississippi, she told police they stayed in various hotels over the previous few days. That Saturday, she said, Moore turned violent after she left their hotel room and tried to come back.

Bloomington Police Lt. Ryan Pedigo told the press, “When she returned [to the hotel room], he had locked her out, so she said that she was then walking towards her vehicle when she saw him running behind her - she said that she was scared for her safety so she did run to her car.” Another male friend was reportedly in the car at the time. The woman alleges Moore the pulled a gun, aimed it at the friend, and ordered him to exit the vehicle. The other man complied. Lt. Pedigo said that Moore “then jumped into the car with her, pointed a gun at her and ordered her to drive him to an apartment complex here in town.” While driving, the woman said she noticed the police station and took action. Lt. Pedigo added, “Good for her for watching her surroundings, realizing that she was passing the police department and having the courage to stop the vehicle, jump out and run.”

While being interrogated, Moore allegedly admitted to having a firearm earlier that night, but said he got rid of it. Searchers have not yet located the weapon. In addition, Moore had outstanding arrest warrants from Louisiana for assault with a firearm and dealing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. The ATF also wanted Moore for a charge of a being a felon in possession of a firearm. On top of that, cops say he was wanted in Johnson County for driving while suspended and public intoxication.

Regarding the incident, Lt. Pedigo offered a few final words of warning: “I caution people that if it’s someone that you’re not familiar with and someone who you don’t obviously know their intentions and you don’t them very well it’s best to get to know them a little more.”

Read more: WXIN, KCPQ