Police seeking witnesses in kidnapping, unlawful confinement

Lethbridge Police have charged a 36-year-old male in connection with an incident where a female was pulled inside a vehicle, held against her will and sexually assaulted, before she was able to escape. 

On October 3, just after midnight, police responded to a third party report that a female had been forced inside a vehicle and kidnapped. The female was located a short time later downtown and told police she had been at the Park and Ride along the 700 block of 5 Avenue South around 11:00 p.m. on October 2, when she saw a red car she thought belonged to a friend. As she leaned down to look inside, she observed an unknown male driver, who proceeded to grab her arm and pull her into the vehicle through the open passenger window. The victim screamed and the vehicle began driving away. The vehicle travelled by Tudor Manor Apartments along the 500 block of 7 Street South, then the main branch of the Public Library along the 800 block of 5 Avenue South. Near the Castle Apartments along the 200 block of 2 Avenue South the woman was able to grab the keys, causing the vehicle to hit the curb. She subsequently threw them out the window. A male bystander, who heard her screaming, approached the vehicle and let her out before the driver fled the area. The victim reported the subject made references about having sex and had touched her. She did not sustain any injuries. 

Police located a vehicle and driver matching the description provided by the victim and bystander, and initiated a traffic stop. The male was arrested without incident and during a search of the vehicle incidental to arrest, some of the victim’s property was recovered inside.

The investigation is ongoing and police are asking anyone who was in the downtown area, particularly the area of the Park and Ride and Public Library, between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., and witnessed the incident, observed the subject vehicle – a 2003 red Pontiac Grand Am – or has information that could assist investigators, to call 403-328-4444 and reference file 24019348. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at www.p3tips.com or 1-800-222-8477. 

Dwight Joe Sam Wadsworth, of Lethbridge, is charged with sexual assault, kidnapping, unlawful confinement, and assault. Following a Judicial Interim Release hearing, Wadsworth was remanded in custody and scheduled to make his first court appearance today.