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Deputies investigating kidnapping/rape in Laurel County
Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a kidnapping and rape that started early Thursday morning in Corbin and ended when the victim was found in southern Laurel County.
According to Sheriff John Root, the incident began about 12:30 a.m. when the victim, who was driving a van along 7th Street in Corbin, was flagged down by the perpetrator who was waving a flashlight while standing in the street, advising her that there was a wreck up ahead.
“When the victim stopped, the male subject jumped in the vehicle on the passenger side, assaulted the 47-year-old female driver, drove to an unknown location where he raped the female while armed with a knife,” Root stated.
The perpetrator then tied the victim up and abandoned it the van behind the Liberty Gas Station off of U.S. 25 in Lily
“She doesn’t really remember a lot of what happened,” said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, the department’s public affairs officer
“We feel like he drove her behind the gas station after the rape because that gas station has so much activity all night long.” Acciardo said.
Deputies were called to the scene about 5:30 a.m. when store employees and other people heard the woman screaming and called 911.
Deputy Shawn Jackson arrived at the scene to investigate and found the woman tied up in the back of the van.
The woman was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph London Hospital for treatment.
Acciardo said the woman described her attacker as a male with a dark complexion, wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at (606) 864-6600 or Laurel County dispatch at (606) 878-7000.
Callers may remain anonymous.
Detective Kevin Berry and Deputy Jackson are continuing the investigation.
Assisting in the investigation are Deputy Brad Mink and Sgt. John Inman.
