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Woman Kidnapped At Concord Mall; 1 Arrested, 1 Sought

CONCORD (BCN) - An Oakland man was arrested Thursday night after he and another man allegedly kidnapped a woman in Concord, robbed her and drove her to Oakland where they allegedly robbed a second person, Concord police Lt. David Hughes said Friday.

The victim, a 23-year-old woman, was heading to work at the Sunvalley Shopping Center in Concord at about 6 p.m.

She had parked her car and was walking to the mall when a man, later identified as 20-year-old Oakland resident Norris Reed, approached her, Hughes said.

Reed was allegedly armed with a gun and forced the victim back into her car.

As he drove her out of the mall parking lot he picked up a second man, Hughes said.

The second suspect is described as a black man between 18 and 22 years old. He is about 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall and heavy-set. He has a round face and was wearing a red shirt under all dark clothing, a dark knit beanie cap and was carrying a skateboard, Hughes said.

The two men took the woman to Oakland where the second suspect allegedly robbed a second woman.

They then drove the first victim to an ATM machine, where they allegedly forced her to withdraw money from her bank account, Hughes said.

Meanwhile, the victim's co-workers and family members had reported her missing and police entered her name and vehicle into the missing persons database.

At about 8:15 p.m. Oakland police officers spotted the victim's car and attempted to stop it.

Reed and the second suspect attempted to evade police, but Reed was ultimately captured. The second suspect got away.

The officers found the victim in her car and freed her. She was unharmed, Hughes said.

Concord police took custody of Reed and he was booked into county jail in Martinez on suspicion of kidnapping, robbery and carjacking.

Investigators plan to present the case to the district attorney's office next week, Hughes said.

Police are still investigating the case and are asking for the public's help in identifying the second suspect. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Detective Greg Pardella at (925) 603-5922.

People who wish to remain anonymous can call the Police Department's tip line at (925) 603-5836.

(© 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)

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