News
Man Arrested For Attempted Kidnapping
By: WOUB Contributing Writer
Posted on:
An arrest has been made in the kidnapping of an Coolville-area woman, according to Washington County Sheriff Larry Mincks Jr.
Dwin J. McGraw, 61, of 53661 Number 9 Road, Reedsville, was arrested in New Matamoras around 3 a.m. Wednesday morning on felony charges of kidnapping and disrupting public service and misdemeanor charges of assault, aggravated menacing and carrying a concealed weapon, Mincks said in a news release.
According to Mincks, McGraw picked up Jennifer Jorgensen, 32, of Vanderhoof Road, Coolville, and one of her friends in Parkersburg and offered to drive them home. After dropping off Jorgensen’s friend, McGraw allegedly refused to drive to Jorgensen’s residence and ignored her repeated pleas for him to let her out of his vehicle. When Jorgensen attempted to exit the moving vehicle, McGraw allegedly grabbed her and struck her in the mouth.
Mincks said Jorgensen was finally able to seek help when McGraw stopped for fuel in New Matamoras. At the gas station, McGraw allegedly would not allow Jorgensen out of his sight and threatened to arrest her. Jorgensen sought the help of the store’s clerk and was then able call for help, Mincks said.
Jorgensen informed a Washington County sheriff’s deputy that McGraw had a handgun in the vehicle and that she feared for her safety. Questioned by the deputy, McGraw allegedly admitted giving Jorgensen a ride, but denied kidnapping her or restricting her from exiting the vehicle, according to Mincks.
McGraw appeared in Marietta Municipal Court on Wednesday morning and is being held without bond in the Washington County Jail, Mincks said.