Man reportedly escapes from kidnapper by jumping out of car in Natchez

Published 12:57 am Wednesday, March 8, 2017

 

NATCHEZ — A man reportedly escaped an alleged kidnapper Monday in Natchez by jumping out of a moving car and running to a nearby police officer for help.

Natchez Police Department Lt. Kenneth Stampley said the victim reported he was walking in the area of Ford Street and Dumas Drive when Bill H. Calvin, 39, 202 Dumas Drive, reportedly forced him into a vehicle at gunpoint.

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Calvin reportedly drove the victim around in a car and threatened to kill him.

While riding in Calvin’s car in the area of McLaurin Elementary School, the victim reportedly spotted a police officer, jumped from the moving car and ran to the officer for help.

“He came running up to (the officer’s) vehicle asking for help and told (the officer) he had been kidnapped at gunpoint,” Stampley said.

The victim suffered minor scrapes and bruises from jumping out of the vehicle, Stampley said, but was otherwise uninjured.

The victim was later able to identify Calvin in a police lineup, and Calvin was charged with kidnapping.

Calvin is acquainted with the victim, but the motive for the kidnapping is unknown, Stampley said.

Calvin was being held Tuesday in the Natchez City Jail on a $200,000 bond.