Man charged with attempted kidnapping after 'dragging' 15-year-old through Circle K parking lot
Share and Follow


CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — The Clearwater Police Department said a man was arrested on Friday and charged with kidnapping.

According to an arrest affidavit, Eric Butler, 43, was seen grabbing a 15-year-old female runaway in the parking lot of a Circle K located at 1501 Gulf-to-Bay Blvd., before attempting to pull her away.

The affidavit said the witness saw Butler grabbing the girl by her shoulders and hips, and bear-hugging her while she struggled.

As officers were dispatched to the scene, they said the witness was able to follow Butler and the girl to an area of Glen Oaks Park, where officers said the two had met on multiple prior occasions.

The witness intervened, and the girl was able to break away from Butler, who ran toward the park, where he was then apprehended by law enforcement.

According to the affidavit, the victim told officers that Butler had offered her drugs earlier that day and had previously tried to engage in “illegal sexual acts” with her.

The victim told officers that Butler appeared to be under the influence of narcotics and was physically aggressive with her.

The Clearwater Police Department arrested Butler, and he was taken and booked into the Pinellas County Jail.

He is charged with kidnapping, as well as possession of cocaine and paraphernalia, exposure of sexual organs, and resisting arrest.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

"This is horrible": Owner of Willie's Bar & Grill speaks on shooting

ST. HELENA ISLAND, S.C. () — The owner of Willie’s Bar &…

The Latest: Big shakeups in store for the college football top 10 of the AP Top 25 coming soon

Struggles by several top 10 teams in Week 7 of college football…

2 dead after shooting on school campus in Mississippi

LELAND, Miss. (AP) — Police in a small Mississippi town are investigating…

Vols rally past the Razorbacks, 34-31

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Vols got revenge on their fall in…

Decatur Fire Department responds to garage fire; officials investigating

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur Fire Department responded to a “fully…

Flu season has arrived – and so have updated flu vaccines

(The Conversation) – As the autumn’s cool weather settles in, so does…

Afghanistan attacks Pakistani border posts

PESHAWAR – Afghan security forces attacked Pakistani border posts late Saturday in…

'Taste my culture, that's our slogan': Hispanic restaurant owner

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — Two local restaurant owners are proudly representing and…