What started out as a morning run turned into a terrifying ordeal for one jogger after she says a man tried to kidnap her at gunpoint.
The woman told police she was running around 5:30 a.m., Friday, near the intersection of West Gregory Boulevard and Valley Road when a man pointed a semi-automatic gun at her and told her not to scream, otherwise he would shoot.
According to the victim, the man tried to force her into his older burgundy Chevy Blazer. She was able to break free and run for help. Police were unable to locate the man, and did not have a physical description available.
"I'm really surprised, I just thought this was such a safe neighborhood," said Marissa Mirakia, who lives nearby.
"And that's the misconception. Becoming so complacent to think that this area or that area, this doesn’t happen here, crime can happen anywhere," said Sgt. Kari Thompson with the Kansas City Police Department.
Police say it’s OK to run in the dark, but keep your music in your headphones down and take a cell phone in case you need to call for help. The most important thing is to be aware of your surroundings no matter what neighborhood you are in.
Any women interested in learning more about self-defense from police can take classes offered by KCPD.
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Ali Hoxie can be reached at ali.hoxie@kshb.com.
