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Police: Woman reportedly abducted from east Columbus found safe; suspect still at large

The woman was found unharmed, but additional information was not released. The suspect remains at large.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Division of Police located a woman who was reportedly abducted at gunpoint from the city’s east side earlier this week. The suspect remains at large.

Police said 39-year-old Ashley Freestone was found unharmed on Thursday, but additional information was not released. She was reportedly abducted on Tuesday by 31-year-old Richard Patridge at East Main Street and Alum Creek Drive Tuesday night.

Franklin County Municipal Court records state that police received a 911 call around 10:30 p.m. from a man saying someone was kidnapped. Police arrived and found the caller who said he and Freestone, his girlfriend, were getting off a COTA bus when they were confronted by Patridge.

Court documents say Patridge is the father of Freestone's children.

Patridge reportedly pulled out a gun, pointed it at the man and told him to back up, which he did, according to court records. After that, the man said Patridge pointed the gun at Freestone and ordered her to get on the back of his motorcycle.

The man told police Patridge struck him with a handgun nearly two weeks ago and shot at him six weeks ago.

On Thursday, police said Patridge had not been located. He has several outstanding warrants for his arrests and is considered armed and dangerous.

Credit: Columbus Division of Police
Richard Patridge

Anyone with information on Patridge’s location is asked to call 911. 

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