Illinois man accused of kidnapping attempt at Lake of the Ozarks

TUSCUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

An Illinois man was behind bars in Miller County on Monday after he allegedly attempted to kidnap a woman near the Lake of the Ozarks.

Prosecutors have charged 46-year-old Ryan Gaddy with second-degree kidnapping and fourth-degree assault.

According to court documents, the incident happened early Friday at the Jiffy Stop on Bagnell Damn Boulevard when Gaddy, driving a black Hummer, approached a woman in the parking lot. Gaddy then grabbed her arm through the vehicle window and forced her toward him, trying to bring her into the car, according to a probable cause statement.

Police say the woman was able to break free from Gaddy's grip and ran into the store and contacted an employee.

The suspect left and later police say they stopped Gaddy during a traffic stop. They were able to find Gaddy from the description the woman gave of the car, the statement says. Court documents say police brought the woman to the traffic stop where she was able to identify Gaddy as the man who attempted to kidnap her.

The victim told police she was working at Camden On The Lake when Gaddy followed her, according to the statement. Employees told police they saw the Hummer driving around the parking lot four nights before the incident, police say.

Gaddy has been charged with four felonies in the past and was sentenced to three years in prison. He was just released.

Gaddy's bond was set at $100,000.