Springfield police began their investigation on May 22 when they were contacted by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, according to an affidavit filed with the case in Clark County Municipal Court. A Madison County lieutenant told authorities that a Springfield woman was found naked at an address in Madison County, the affidavit says, and that she had escaped a man after being abducted in Springfield.
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Springfield police responded to Madison County and spoke with the victim. The woman told police that she was in the area of West Main Street and South Shaffer Street when a white Dodge ram truck circled around her and came back to where she was standing.
“(The victim) stated the white male exited the Dodge Ram pickup truck and pointed a gun at her forcing her into the truck after stating ‘you’re getting in the truck you stupid (expletive),’” the affidavit says. “(The victim) stated the defendant then began driving about the city of Springfield stating ‘you’re going to be mine forever.’”
The woman said the man-made several stops including at a truck stop, the affidavit says. They then drove on I-70 East into Madison County where she then alleged a sexual assault, according to the affidavit.
“(The victim) stated during the assault she was able to escape the truck (and) flee to a nearby residence,” the affidavit says. “It was at this time law enforcement was called to assist.”
Springfield police began their investigation by obtaining surveillance footage at the truck stop and identifying the vehicle allegedly used in the assault, the affidavit says. The truck was spotted in Springfield just hours later.
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“Uniform Patrol Officers from the Springfield Police Division arrived in the area and conducted a traffic stop of the white Dodge Ram pickup truck,” the affidavit says. “Mr. Rick Evans was detained and consented going to police headquarters to speak with detectives.”
Evans was arrested May 22 and charged with abduction and kidnapping and placed in the Clark County Jail, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit says that Madison County Sheriff’s Office originally planned to investigate the sexual assault aspect of the case, but Clark County Prosecutor Dan Driscoll said his office is going to handle all of it.
“The criminal act began in Clark County before Mr. Evans transported the victim to Madison County where he sexually assaulted her,” Driscoll told the Springfield News-Sun. “We worked with (the Madison County Prosecutor’s Office) and sheriff’s department and decided keeping the entire case in Clark County was in the best interest of this case.”
A next court date in the case has not been set.
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