Posted: 8/22/2008 8:24:58 PM EDT
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Authorities say a North Carolina woman who tried to kidnap her virtual ex-boyfriend from Delaware and Pennsylvania has been arrested in Maryland. Delaware's New Castle County police said Kimberly Jernigan, 33, of Durham, planned to kidnap the 52-year-old man to start a new life. Police said the two met online in "Second Life." According to police, the victim, whose character was a lion, engaged in a virtual relationship with Jernigan, whose character was a virtual woman. The two eventually met a few months ago. After the "in-person" meeting, the victim broke off the relationship. However, police said Jernigan was not ready to end the relationship. The man called 911 on Thursday, saying Jernigan was in his apartment and shining a laser pointer on his torso. She fled before police arrived but left behind her dog, which was duct-tapped and in the bathtub. Investigators believe that she brought the dog in and it made too much noise, leading her to duct-tape its snout to try to silence it. Investigators also found handcuffs, duct tape, a Taser and a BB gun. An hour later, Maryland State Police arrested Jernigan at a rest stop on Interstate 95. Police said Jernigan tried to kidnap the man at gunpoint at his Pennsylvania job two weeks ago. The man was uninjured, and the dog also appeared to be in good health, though the SPCA is investigating to determine whether animal cruelty charges should be pursued. Jernigan is in custody in Maryland and will be charged in Delaware with attempted kidnapping, burglary, and aggravated menacing. Link |
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