Police tape

Kidnapped Woman Found Naked in U-Haul, Stab Wounds on Her Fingers

A Maryland kidnapping victim was found naked and with stab wounds on each of her fingers Friday night when state police pulled over a U-Haul truck reported to be “driving erratically and striking multiple parked vehicles.”

Police arrested Dennis Bell, 62, charging him with 14 criminal counts, including first degree assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, fourth degree sex offense, possession of suspected crack cocaine, and driving while impaired. He also faces 19 traffic charges related to the incident, according to Maryland State Police.

The victim was not identified; police said she was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

According to police, Bell initially made contact with the victim at a convenience store in southeastern Washington, D.C. Friday morning. The victim said he forced her into the U-Haul truck and threatened to kill her if she didn’t comply.

While in the truck, the victim said Bell took her clothing and stabbed each of her fingers with a pocket knife. He drove around all day while she sat on the floor board in the cab. She told police she had no idea where they were at any point during the day.

At around 9:45 p.m., multiple calls came in reporting an erratic U-Haul in the area of Princess Garden Parkway in Lanham. The calls reported the driver striking parked vehicles. Troopers were dispatched and found the truck on Route 450 in Lanham.

Bell refused to stop when troopers initiated a traffic stop. The troopers pursued until the U-Haul became disabled in a ditch at Baltimore Avenue and Elm Street.

Bell refused to exit the vehicle or unlock the driver’s door, so troopers walked around to the passenger side. They gained entry through the window on that side and found the victim on the floor. The troopers took the woman out and gave her a jacket until medical personnel arrived.

Bell remained uncooperative and refused to identify himself. Troopers arrested him and took him to a hospital to be checked out before he was taken to the Upper Marlboro Department of Corrections.

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