Illinois Man In Miller County Jail Facing Kidnapping Charges

An Illinois man is in custody in the Miller County Jail on charges of kidnapping and assault after allegedly trying to abduct a woman from a convenience store parking lot in Lake Ozark last Friday.

Authorities believe that 46-year-old Ryan Gaddy of Granite City, Illinois attempted to force a woman into his vehicle on Friday morning. Officers responded to a call from the victim at 1:40 a.m. She told them that Gaddy had pulled up near her in an attempt to talk to her.

According to court documents, the victim said Gaddy grabbed her arm forcefully and tried to pull her into the vehicle through the window. She broke free and ran into the store, where the employee attempted to get a license plate number from the vehicle, a black Hummer with Illinois plates. Three people were in the vehicle.

Lake Ozark police pulled the vehicle over a short time later and detained all three occupants. The victim positively identified Gaddy as the man who had attempted to pull her into the vehicle.

Authorities say Gaddy is a violent and persistent offender who had just recently been released from prison. They also say his vehicle was spotted driving around the parking lot of Camden on the Lake four nights in a row, which presents a fear of human trafficking or women being harmed.

Gaddy will appear in Miller County Court on Monday, September 26th.