BREAKING: Kerrville man arrested in kidnapping case after victim recovered in Somerville

A 35-year-old Kerrville man was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping after allegedly forcing a woman into his vehicle Monday night and driving her more than 200 miles before authorities rescued her in Central Texas.

Anthony Harwell was booked into the Burleson County Jail following his arrest early Tuesday in Somerville, where the 38-year-old victim was found safe, according to the Kerrville Police Department.

The incident began at 10:44 p.m. Monday when officers responded to a report of a kidnapping at a parking garage in the 200 block of Water Street in downtown Kerrville.

A witness told police they had accompanied the victim to meet Harwell so she could retrieve personal property. During the interaction, Harwell forced the woman into his vehicle and fled in an unknown direction, police said.

Officers immediately began searching for the suspect vehicle and notified surrounding law enforcement agencies. Police issued a statewide Coordinated Law Enforcement Adult Rescue Alert.

The vehicle was later located at a residence in Somerville, about 215 miles east of Kerrville. The Texas Department of Public Safety’s Texas Rangers coordinated a law enforcement response that resulted in Harwell’s arrest without incident and the safe recovery of the victim.

Harwell is being held pending bond.

Kerrville police Sgt. Jonathan Lamb can be reached at 830-258-1371 or jonathan.lamb@kerrvilletx.gov.