Man Charged With Strangling, Abducting VA College Student: Police

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA — Authorities on Thursday arrested a man they say abducted and strangled a college student on the University of Virginia campus this week, according to police and a report.

James Robert Allen of Suffolk was charged with felony abduction and strangulation following an extensive overnight search, Charlottesville police said in a release following his arrest.

According to police, Allen fled after crashing his car into multiple vehicles and trees near the 800 block of Cabell Avenue. When officers arrived at the area, police said they found a woman who told them she was abducted by an unknown man later identified as Allen.

A WTOP report citing police identified the woman as a University of Virginia student.

Police said the woman was taken to UVA Medical Center for treatment. According to authorities, the woman and Allen did not know each other.

Police arrested Allen just after 12 p.m. Thursday in Louisa County, about 40 miles from the University of Virginia, WTOP reported.

Authorities did not release additional information about the abduction or how Allen was located.