Todd Michael Taylor Arrested for Rape Attempt on Wade Hampton High Student
As the investigation unfolded into the attempted kidnapping and rape of a 15-year-old Wade Hampton High School student it became clear to investigators that the assailant must have been an older causal acquaintance of the girl. The man the victim knew only as “Todd” was clearly a predator who made contact with the girl and waited for an opportune time to attempt to abduct her.
Now police have arrested 43-year-old Todd Michael Taylor for the assault. From GreenvilleOnline:
Authorities have charged a Lyman man in a February incident where investigators say a Wade Hampton High School student escaped an attempted kidnapping and sexual assault after accepting a ride home from a man.
Todd Michael Taylor, 43, 55 Granny Mack Ridge, Lyman, has been charged with kidnapping, assault and attempting to commit a lewd act on a minor, according to warrants.
WSPA has a follow up with the victim and her family. She met the man once at a restaurant and “trusted him” when she met him again, proving that parents and schools need to teach young people not to trust middle age men who want to befriend them. Taylor is being held on $160,000 bond, which is small change for a man who tried to rape a child.
Update: Here’s the victim in her own words:
Woman Raped in Greer, Say Deputies
A Greer woman was treated at Spartanburg Regional Hospital Thursday night after being kidnapped and raped by two men, according to Spartanburg County deputies.
Deputies said that the victim said she was walking along Biblebrook Drive toward Sunnyglen Drive when a silver or gray, older-model car pulled up next to her. She said the two men inside the car asked her for directions.
The woman told deputies that when she walked up to the car the men pulled her inside the car. She said that the men drove to a dirt road off of Biblebrook Drive, raped her and then drove back to Biblebrook Drive where they put her out of the car.
The woman walked home and called 911.
The alleged assailants were driving a gray or silver older model, four-door Honda, according to the victim. According to Greenville News staff writer Anna Lee:
The woman told investigators that the men were between 25 and 35 years old. One was wearing a gray sweatshirt and the other a long-sleeved yellow shirt. Both wore black tobaggons.
“Tobaggons”? Since I couldn’t find that word in any mainstream or pop culture dictionary, let’s go with Fox Carolina’s report that the men wore “black stocking caps.” But tuck that away for future reference: “tobaggons” is Greenville News-speak for stocking caps.
Please call Spartanburg Crime Stoppers at 58-CRIME if you have any information about this attack.
Attempted Kidnapping in Taylors Still Under Investigation
Taylors kidnapping suspect
The story of an attempted kidnapping that reportedly took place in Taylors Monday morning continues to evolve. It is now being reported that after accepting a ride from a man named Todd, the 15-year-old victim was driven to another location and assaulted. The girl apparently met “Todd” at a local restaurant last week.
Since the victim was allegedly held against her will for an undetermined period of time, this crime should now be looked at as a kidnapping and assault rather than an attempted kidnapping.
Deputies have released a sketch of the suspect (see above). He is described as a Hispanic male, 20-30 years of age, with a medium build and a thin mustache.
Uh-Oh: Police Say Taylors Kidnapping Attempt May Not Have Happened as First Described
Interestingly, they’re still looking for a suspect, which I assume means they think an assault did happen and that the victim has some reason for not wanting to finger the right guy. Because the girl is 15, I’ll keep my speculations to myself.
From WSPA:
GREENVILLE – The Greenville County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday a kidnapping they started investigating Tuesday, concerning a 15-year old girl in Taylors didn’t actually occur, as it was orginially [sic] reported by the victim.
Investigators are now saying the incident does not appear to be a random “stranger on stranger” incident. They say the exact nature of this reported assault is still under investigation.
[...]
Wednesday, the GCSO still said they were seeking a 20-30 year old Hispanic male, with a medium build and a thin mustache.
Investigators said he was driving an older moldel [sic] “boxy” sedan, (possibly a Volvo) in connection with this incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 23-CRIME.
What’s with the false reporting these days? The girl had enough injuries that police are still thinking something happened, they just don’t know what yet. Let’s hope this is resolved quickly and the girl is ok.
Update: GreenvilleOnline.com is reporting the girl has told police she recognized the man:
Deputy Matthew Armstrong said the girl has told deputies that she recognized the man who grabbed her wrist on East Belvue Road on Monday morning. They don’t have a suspect name, and no charges have been filed, he said.
The “exact nature” of the reported assault remains under investigation, Armstrong said.
The teen told deputies that she escaped by pulling away from the driver and running, a deputy said in an incident report. Deputies are continuing to look for an older “boxy” red car, which they believe could be a Volvo, Armstrong said.
Strange.
Girl, 15, Reports Kidnapping Attempt in Taylors
Deputies with the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a reported kidnapping attempt.
The 15-year-old victim told deputies a man tried to force her into his vehicle while she was walking on East Belvue Road near Weehawken Circle Monday at about 9:30 a.m. The teen normally catches a bus from Wade Hampton High School to another facility, but said she was walking home because she felt ill.
The victim says the suspect drove alongside her in a red Volvo, opened the door and tried to pull her into the vehicle according to the incident report.
She tells GCSO she was able to break free and run home to call for help. Lt. Shea Smith says the teenager suffered minor injuries. The incident report says she suffered a scratch on her right cheek, bruising to her left arm and scratches on her upper chest she says she received while trying to break free of the man who grabbed her.
The suspect left in his car and drove in the direction of Rutherford Road.
A forensic sketch of the suspect is not available at this time. Investigators say he is described as “a Hispanic man with a thin mustache. He was wearing a black baseball hat, white t-shirt and blue jeans at the time of the attack.” The vehicle was an older model red, 4-door Volvo.
As always, please call Crime Stoppers at 23-CRIME if you have any information.