A Laurel County man, Ricky North, was arrested for several crimes Monday morning. He is accused of kidnapping a woman at gunpoint and raping her in his home until she escaped. Now deputies said more arrests may be on the way.
“Shocking, that is very very shocking and very scary,” said Mary Wiggins who lives near North. Laurel County Sheriff Deputies said he committed a terrifying crime. However, neighbors of Ricky North said it’s a crime he’s capable of.
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Deputies said North used a shotgun, abducted a woman from a home on Highway 25, then forced her to Echo Valley Road where officials said she was raped. “I think she had been there for several hours before she was able to actually break free and run for help,” said Gilbert Acciardo with the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department.
“I mean it was just behind my house basically and I never heard a sound,” said Judy Harrod who shares her woods with North. Luckily other neighbors did hear the cries around 5 a.m. and called 911.
“It did save this woman’s life, without a doubt, “said Acciardo. Because of the calls to dispatch, deputies rescued the woman. She was hiding under clothes in a camper and North was nearby. “He was trying to find her, he was actually in the woods looking for her,” said Acciardo.
“I am just glad they got him and she got free,” said Wiggins.
North is charged with kidnapping, rape in the 2nd degree, and possesion of a firearm by a convicted felon. Now neighbors are relieved he is behind bars, and hope that’s where he stays. “He needs to be punished so he can’t hurt anybody like that again,” said Harrod.
Investigators said this was not a random act of violence, although North and the victim do not know each other.
Deputies said other people were at the home where the victim was kidnapped during the crime. Now those witnesses are considered persons of interest.
