A routine traffic stop for a Mississippi University for Women police officer ended with a Columbus man in jail for kidnapping and attempted armed robbery late Tuesday.
The suspect, Marty Christopher Moore, 26, of 1011 15th St. S., was walking along the side of the road near South Pickensville Road and 15th Street South at about 11:30 p.m. when he flagged down a 23-year-old driver, according to a press release from the Columbus Police Department. Once Moore got in the car, he allegedly threatened the driver and ordered him to drive to an ATM.
On the way to the ATM, the driver passed MUW campus on 11th Street South, where an MUW officer attempted to pull the car over for a traffic violation. Moore allegedly hit the victim and told him not to stop for police. Moore then opened the passenger door and began running south, the press release said.
Officers from CPD and narcotics agents from the Joint Drug Task Force were called to the scene. Authorities spotted Moore climbing a fence and then found him hiding behind nearby bushes.
CPD Assistant Police Chief Fred Shelton and Capt. Brent Swan both said Moore told the victim he had a gun, but he never showed one.
Moore was initially charged with carjacking, but that charge has been changed to attempted armed robbery. He is also charged with kidnapping and five previous counts of failure-to-appear.
He is still in custody at Lowndes County Adult Detention Center with total bond set at $73,035 for the felonies.
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