Alabama man charged with kidnapping teen in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A man from Alabama was arrested in connection with kidnapping a teenager in Springfield.

According to the Springfield Police Department, police received a missing person’s report on July 28th for a 13-year-old girl who ran away from home. A video obtained showed the girl leave her home and get into a vehicle at around 1:40 a.m.

During the investigation, detectives working with her family identified 31-year-old Raul Arellano from Huntsville, Alabama as the suspect. The investigation revealed that Arellano left his home in Alabama and drove to Springfield after talking with the girl online. Springfield police say that it is believed that they had previously met in Alabama where the girl’s primary residence is.

Massachusetts State Police were able to locate Arellano’s vehicle traveling south in Virginia. The state police in Virginia conducted a traffic stop in New Market, Virginia, located the girl, and arrested Arellano.

On Tuesday, Springfield Police Detectives traveled to the RSW Regional Jail in Virginia and took custody of Arellano on an arrest warrant in connection with the kidnapping in Springfield. He was brought back to the Springfield Police Headquarters awaiting arraignment.

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