Savannah-Chatham police are searching for the man they say tried to kidnap a woman Friday afternoon by forcing her into a van.
Intervention by a detective and a good Samaritan helped prevent the abduction on Savannah’s westside, said Eunica Baker, metro police spokeswoman.
Officers have secured warrants charging 37-year-old Larry Bennett with attempted kidnapping, theft by taking and battery, Baker said. He frequents Union Mission.
At 12:48 p.m., while driving near Gwinnett and West Boundary streets, a Downtown Precinct detective observed a man forcing a woman into a white van, Baker said. The detective saw injuries on the woman, who escaped to a bystander’s vehicle, as the suspect entered the van’s driver’s seat.
The suspect fled when the detective attempted to stop him.
The woman was transported to Candler Hospital for treatment.
Simultaneously, a brief pursuit ensued from the Interstate 16 ramp to Interstate 516. The pursuit ended due to Bennett’s erratic driving, Baker said. He was last seen driving north on Interstate 95 in a 2004 Honda Odyssey, Baker said.
Anyone with information on this suspect’s location should call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020 or text CRIMES (274637) using the keyword CSTOP2020. Tipsters remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.