Maplewood police investigate abduction, threat of sexual assault

Maplewood police were looking for a man who they believe abducted a woman early Sunday and threatened to sexually assault her.

A 25-year-old woman told police that just after getting into her car about 2:40 a.m. Sunday, a man entered the passenger side and brandished a gun, police said. The car was parked outside the Dog House Bar, 2029 Woodlynn Av.

The woman told police that the man said he wanted sex and would be violent if she didn't comply. He directed her to drive to a parking lot in the 2700 block of Hazelwood Street, where he ordered her to remove her clothes.

Then he masturbated, apologized to her, denied picking her specifically and walked away, police said.

The woman went to a nearby fast food restaurant and called police and a friend.

"We believe the suspect in this case poses a very real threat," Maplewood Police Chief Paul Schnell said.

Police are looking for DNA in the car. They also are investigating the possibility that the suspect is linked to incidents reported Feb. 23 in Maplewood and North St. Paul.

No arrests were made in the February cases, and police said that Sunday's case is the first incident of its kind reported to them since then.

"The concern is always escalating levels of violence," Schnell said. "And the fact that the man is always armed with a gun is concerning."

Schnell said that police believe the suspect fled on foot and may live in the area.

The suspect in Sunday's incident is described as a white or light-skinned male, about 30 to 50 years old, with a thin build. He was wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt and pants, and a dark-colored ski mask with a red stripe.

Police are asking anyone with information about the cases either to call Maplewood police at 651-767-0640, send anonymous tips by texting "Maplewood" first and then the tip information to 847411, or to call 911.