Athens man arrested for kidnapping after victim was able to escape, call for help

LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) – An Athens man is facing a kidnapping charge after a woman who was reported to be missing and endangered on Saturday was able to escape and call for help.

Jason Hargrove, 41, of Athens, is charged with second-degree kidnapping, domestic violence -strangulation or suffocation, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental operations.

According to LCSO, a woman was last seen on January 24, just before 6 p.m., in the area of Quarry Road in Athens. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issued a missing and endangered person alert for her Saturday evening.

After the alert was issued, LCSO said it believed she was with Hargrove, who was described as a 5’11 white man, 190 lbs, with brown hair and hazel eyes.

The sheriff’s office said it had responded to a call Saturday on Yarbrough Road reporting a woman was being assaulted and taken against her will. Witnesses told law enforcement that Hargrove “forcibly dragged the victim out of a residence and slammed her to the ground multiple times before forcing her to leave with him.”

Around 8 a.m. on Sunday, LCSO said the woman was able to escape and call for help. LCSO said she had visible injuries as a result of the attack.

Deputies were able to locate Hargrove, who tried to run on foot and resist arrest. The sheriff’s office said he was tased and taken into custody.

“First and foremost, I am grateful the victim was able to escape and reach out for help this morning. Her courage, along with the swift response from our dispatchers, deputies and investigators, led to the apprehension of the suspect and brought this situation to an end. I want to thank every agency and individual who worked alongside us through the night, including Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Alabama Fusion Center, for their immediate support and partnership in this case. As always, if you see something that doesn’t feel right, say something; your call could save a life,” Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin said.

Hargrove’s bond will be set at a later date by a judge.