One woman hospitalized after kidnapping in Wal-Mart parking lot

Posted: Updated:

Posted by Raef Williams - email

BAXLEY, GA (WTOC) - One woman remains in the hospital after being kidnapped and attacked in a Wal-Mart parking lot.

It happened around 5:15am Saturday morning at the Wal-Mart off West Parker Street in Baxley - that's in Appling County - southwest of Savannah.

According to Baxley Police chief James Godfrey, an employee coming in to work was struck by a vehicle, knocking her down.

The driver then placed the unidentified 39 year old woman into the jeep and drove off with her inside.

A lookout was posted.

A little while later, the jeep was found in a ditch off of the Merrell Miles Road behind Wal-Mart.

Deputies found no one in the jeep, but started searching the woods - where they found the woman.

She was badly hurt and taken by ambulance to Appling Health Care.

Police officers and deputies continued to search the area and eventually caught the suspect - 29 year old Joseph Curtis Williams.

He was arrested and is charged with aggravated assault and kidnapping.