Women Escapes Trunk After Abduction; Police Searching For Person Of Interest

Officials in Lincoln County, Missouri, say a 19-year-old woman was abducted just after 8:00 am Thursday on Highway U near Troy.  She had stopped on Highway U and Summer Haven Drive for a warning light, saying her trunk was open.

Once she got out of her car and approached the rear of her car, a man wearing an orange sweater and a black ski mask attacked her.  A short struggle ensued and she was locked in the trunk of her Gray 2008 BMW.  The BMW has a license plate of PJ3M2A. The suspect took off driving her car.  The suspect stopped at the Petro Gas Station in Wright City at Highway J and I-70, where the victim escaped her car by pulling the truck release cord in her trunk.

A witness to the struggle called 911. Police arrived on the scene of the abduction and have issued a bulletin for her car.

After escaping, the woman ran to another car at the gas station. That driver took the woman to the Wright City Police Department.

Authorities say they have a person of interest in the case: Jon Paul Heinz, 22.  He is the former boyfriend of the victim. Authorities say he may have tried to abduct her last week at the St. Charles County Community College in Cottleville. That incident is still under investigation, with charges pending.  They also said the victim had filed for an order of protection against Heinz.

Heinz has addresses in Elsberry, Missouri, and Bloomington, Illinois.  Police urge you to call 911 if you see Jon Paul Heinz.