Woman calls police after seeing girl crying for help in SUV; man facing kidnapping charges

HAWLEY, N.D. (KVLY/Gray News) - A North Dakota man is facing several charges after police say he forced a 17-year-old girl into his vehicle and assaulted her.

Preston Thomas Larson, 18, was charged Thursday in Clay County District Court with two counts of kidnapping, domestic assault by strangulation, interference with a 911 call, and two misdemeanor domestic assault counts.

According to a criminal complaint, the girl told police she was walking on Wednesday when Larson pulled up in his SUV and told her to get in.

The girl said she refused, but Larson got out, grabbed her, and forced her into the vehicle despite her attempts to fight him off.

The complaint stated that when the girl tried to leave the vehicle at a nearby park, Larson dragged her back inside and drove to a second location, where he removed her pants without her consent.

The girl said she tried to fight Larson off again, but that’s when he placed both hands around her neck and applied pressure, leaving visible red marks and preventing her from breathing normally before eventually stopping.

Authorities said Larson ended up dropping the girl off at school, but he had also taken her phone to prevent her from calling 911.

However, Hawley police said a witness saw the girl inside the SUV appearing to plead for help and was concerned enough to call them, prompting the investigation.

When questioned by police, Larson admitted to grabbing the girl and forcing her into his vehicle at the park and acknowledged putting his hand around her neck, according to the complaint.

Police said the 18-year-old also denied initially forcing the girl into the vehicle and denied removing her pants, saying the two had been arguing and that she had hit him first.

Officers noted that they observed marks on the girl’s neck consistent with strangulation, according to the complaint.

Larson was booked into the Clay County Jail.