A quick-thinking Amish woman reportedly thwarted an alleged kidnapping using what she had at hand... a weed whacker.
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According to the local outlets WTAE and FOX23, 26-year-old Junior Jose Davila-Moran of Hamilton, New Jersey, has allegedly been identified as the suspect in the Oct. 14 incident in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
The reported victim, a 23-year-old Amish woman, told investigators she was weed whacking near her driveway in Sadsbury Township, Pennsylvania. She recalled being tapped on the shoulder. When the Amish woman turned around, she claims she saw a man brandishing a pair of handcuffs and a serrated knife clocking in at around 7 inches.
State Police allege that Davila-Moran ordered the woman to let him put the handcuffs on her. He allegedly assured her she would be fine if she complied.
However, she had other ideas.
The Amish woman reportedly told investigators that she took a few steps back and lifted the weed whacker. Next, she revved the lawn tool, which doubles as a perfect distance weapon, and let out a blood-curdling scream.
She claims the startled man turned and ran after seeing the scene.
Amish Woman Reportedly Told Investigators a Photo of the Alleged Suspect 'Makes Me Tremble'
Reportedly, the Amish woman then ran to a neighbor's nearby home to ask for the police. She reportedly told responding police that she thought the man intended to kidnap her.
FOX23 added that security footage from a nearby home showed a Chevrolet pickup truck showing up and quickly leaving around the time of the reported incident. This led investigators to track the New Jersey license plate, which traced back to two New Jersey men.
On Oct. 16, when the alleged victim was shown photos of the two men, she reportedly singled out Davila-Moran.
"This photograph makes me tremble," she told police, per WTAE.
The outlet reports that Hamilton Township police soon arrived at Davila-Moran's residence. After a search, they reportedly found handcuffs and identified the truck seen at the reported crime scene. Davila-Moran was arrested without incident.
The reported suspect was charged with two counts of attempted kidnapping, two counts of attempted false imprisonment, simple assault, two counts of possession of instruments of crime, and terroristic threats, according to WTAE.
Davila-Moran has yet to have his preliminary hearing.
