British Paper Picks Up Georgetown Kidnapping Story

Police reports about what can be called a weird, two-hour alleged kidnapping of a Georgetown University student — also involving the attempted robbery of several stores — that took place last Thursday, Jan. 26, made it into the British press.

Neither the student nor the alleged kidnapper has been identified publicly. But the UK’s Daily Mail released a series of eight photos from what appear to be bank ATM and store surveillance cameras showing the pair standing and sitting together. They don’t appear to be unfriendly.

The dark-haired, mustached man looks dapper in a black suit and black shoes. He reportedly stopped his car somewhere on the 3400 block of O Street NW and forced the student inside. The area is just two blocks from the university campus and steps from the homes of former Secretaries of State Madeleine Albright and John Kerry, who, until last week, were guarded 24/7 by a phalanx of Secret Service agents in big, black SUVs.

After being abducted, the student was supposedly forced to go to various bank ATM machines to get cash (unsuccessfully, apparently), then to several high-end jewelry and other stores to use the student’s credit card to make purchases. Video stills show the two looking at display cases and sitting at what looks like a salesperson’s desk.

But the student’s bank and credit cards were denied. Reportedly, after two hours the man fled in his car.
“This appears to be a highly unusual kidnapping from the actions of the suspect and victim,” Advisory Neighborhood Commission member Ed Solomon told The Georgetowner, quoting local police officials.

It is not clear when the student reported the incident. The police reports state he was not injured. According to the police, the student also said he did not see the man display a weapon, nor could he identify exactly the make, model or license-plate number of the car.

Many commentators on social media remarked that he got in and out of and traveled in the vehicle for some two hours. They also noted that he did not seem to have resisted his abductor physically.

The Daily Mail, a popular tabloid in Great Britain, headed the story that appeared today, Jan. 30: “Chilling abduction of Georgetown student caught on camera.” It was a perhaps a relief for both reporters and readers to have a story from D.C. about anything other than President Donald Trump’s latest executive action.

D.C. police are seeking further information about the reported crime.