Maryland Police Attempt Traffic Stop Of Erratic U-Haul, Discover Kidnapped Woman Inside

A Maryland man was arrested for allegedly kidnapping a woman by forcing her into his U-Haul truck and physically assaulting her, while driving her around Washington, D.C.

Dennis Bell, 62, of Prince George's County, made contact with the woman at a convenience store on Minnesota Avenue Southeast in D.C. on Friday morning, as per Law&Crime.

The victim, whose identity has not been released, informed authorities that Bell pushed her into the U-Haul truck and threatened to kill her if she didn't comply with his demands, according to a statement by the Maryland Police.

Bell then drove the truck around all day with the victim sitting on the floorboard of the front seat. The victim added Bell removed her clothes and used a pocket knife to stab her fingers while she was in the truck.

"The victim informed police that she did not know where she was throughout the day while Bell continued to drive," the statement added.

At about 9:45 p.m., troopers from the College Park Barrack received calls from motorists reporting that a U-Haul truck was driving erratically and hitting multiple parked vehicles in Princess Garden Parkway in Lanham, CBS News reported.

Responding officers from Maryland State Police attempted a traffic stop on the U-Haul, but Bell refused to stop.

"A pursuit ensued and ended at Baltimore Avenue and Elm Street in Lanham where the vehicle became disabled in a ditch," authorities noted.

After the short pursuit, two troopers approached the passenger side of the U-Haul, but Bell refused to exit the truck. They then attempted to enter the vehicle through the passenger side window where they discovered the victim naked on the floorboard and with "apparent wounds to her fingers."

The police rescued the woman from the U-Haul and provided emergency medical services to her at the scene. She was then transported by ambulance to the hospital.

As Bell was "uncooperative and refused to identify himself," the police arrested him and charged him with multiple offenses related to the incident. He was later transported to the Upper Marlboro Department of Corrections.

"Bell faces 14 criminal charges including first-degree assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, fourth-degree sex offense, possession of suspected crack cocaine and driving while impaired. Bell is also facing 19 traffic charges related to the incident," the police said.

The Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division is investigating the matter to determine a motive behind the suspect's actions.

Any individual who may have witnessed the alleged kidnapping or has any information relevant to the investigation has been asked to contact the Criminal Enforcement Division via email at william.costello@maryland.gov or contact the College Park Barrack.