LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Louisville woman has been arrested after police said she was complicit in a plot to kidnap and rob a man she met on an online dating site. Now police, like Lt. Bryan Edelen with LMPD's special victims unit is piecing together what he said happened.
"The information he was able to give our officers appears to be very detailed," Edelen said.
According to Bridget Skaggs' arrest citation, a man came to a firehouse near the intersection of Dixie Highway and Pendleton Road claiming he was kidnapped.
The victim told police he met Skaggs, 38, on the dating site Plenty of Fish. He said he was under the impression the two were going to Biff's Motel on Dixie Highway "to hook up."
When they walked into a motel room, the victim told police he was slammed against the wall by two other people — one male, one female. They tied his hands together and told him if he did not get into a car with them he would be shot.
The victim said he was then placed inside a car and "struck in the face multiple times." The suspects drove to his home, where they broke in and stole his gun and cell phone.
Somehow, he escaped and made his way to the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Station #4 on Dixie Highway and was able to get help.
"It does appear this gentleman's very lucky to get to that firehouse where he was able to get some folks to help him and ultimately call the police who did an excellent job," Edelen said. "The biggest red flag would be trying to meet in a secluded area. Something like a hotel room."
After hearing his story, officers went to the motel, where they saw Skaggs' vehicle. When they knocked on the motel room door, Skaggs answered. Police said she appeared "nervous and kept looking behind her."
Officers found footprints trailing away from an open bathroom window, the victim's stolen gun, and a large amount of needles and suspected heroin. Police said she then admitted on camera that the victim had been beaten up, and that she had known him for a few days.
Edelen is warning anyone who is on a dating app to be cautious when meeting someone for the first time. He recommends having a safe call set up.
"A safe call is when you have a close friend or family or a digital chaperone, someone who's tech savy, reach out and call you half way through your date," Edelen said.
Sharing your location and pinpointing safe spots, such as gas stations, where there are people, cars and bright lights, can protect you if you need to escape.
Skaggs was charged with being complicit to terroristic threatening, burglary, robbery and kidnapping.
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