Police: Woman kidnapped, forced to withdraw money in New Castle County

WILMINGTON (WPVI) -- A woman from North Wilmington tells New Castle County police she was kidnapped and forced to withdraw money for her captor.

Residents at Top of the Hill Apartments off of Prior Road quickly knew something was wrong when police and investigators descended on the normally quiet complex Tuesday morning.

"I lived in another apartment complex that was worse and we moved here to get away," resident Joseph Mattero said.

New Castle County police say around 8:45 p.m. Monday they received a call about a brazen abduction.

The woman told them she had just exited her vehicle when a man approached her and pulled out a gun.

He forced her back inside of the car and made her drive to a nearby ATM along Marsh Road to withdraw money.

At some point during the abduction, police say he punched her.

"She was later released back at the Top of the Hill Apartments and that's how we got the telephone call," Cpl. Tracey Duffy of the New Castle County Police Department said.

Residents who frequent the open parking lot where the incident happened say it's a frightening ordeal that could've happened to them or a loved one.

"I have an older son, he's 22, and I was like you want to come home with me tonight?" resident Nikkie Valentine said.

"Terrified, that could have been my fiancé walking out here with my daughter, it could've been anybody," Mattero said.

As for the suspect, police only have a vague description: white male, about 5'8, possibly driving a dark colored SUV. But they hope another detail will help track him down.

"He was talking to himself, so we really want that information out there, we want people to think is there anyone that they know of that may fit that description," Cpl. Tracey Duffy of the New Castle County Police Department said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police.