BEAUMONT, Texas — A Beaumont man was arrested and charged following what police called a "possible attempted kidnapping" on Sunday.
It happened at the Gulf Terrace Hike and Bike Trail around 9:15 a.m. Beaumont Police responded to the area after receiving a call stating someone had attempted to abduct a woman.
The trail is near West Brook High School and a popular spot for people looking to get exercise in Beaumont’s West End.
While officers were on their way to the scene, they were told the suspect had been contained in a wooded area near the trail. The suspect was later identified as 37-year-old Jarmond James, according to a Beaumont Police Department release.
When officers arrived, they arrested James. He was charged with harassment and taken to the Jefferson County Jail and placed on a mental health hold.
The event left joggers scared and panicked.
"Everybody's already on high alert so this was very scary to hear about this this morning,” April Lindsay, Beaumont resident, said.
Joggers were already nervous after what happened to a woman in Memphis. They hoped nothing like that could happen in Southeast Texas.
"Really shocked to see it happen in our own town and it's sad," Lindsay said.
Sondra Nelson is a Beaumont resident. She believes Sunday’s incident proves we need to keep our guard up.
"I try not to bring my phone because I try to stay away from the phone to a certain degree, but I guess I'm going to have to start carrying it among something else,” Nelson said. “So, I guess that's something I need to prepare for."
Justice of the Peace Ben Collins set James' bond at $10,000. If James can make bond, he will be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor, must remain in the Jefferson County and is not allowed to have any contact with the victim.
Officials told 12News before Sunday, James had been arrested 21 times.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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From a Beaumont Police Department release:
On Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 9:15 a.m., Beaumont Police responded to the Gulf Terrace Hike and Bike Trail (9201 Dishman) in reference to an attempted kidnapping of an adult female. As officers responded to the scene, dispatch advised that the suspect had been contained in the wooded area near the trail. BPD Officers arrived and took the suspect into custody. Special Crimes Detectives responded and interviewed the suspect, victim and witnesses. As a result of the investigation, the suspect was placed under arrest for Harassment and transported to the Jefferson County Jail with a mental health hold. The suspect has been identified as 37 year old Jarmond James (pictured below).
The Beaumont Police Department would like to remind citizens to always be aware of your surroundings. If you observe suspicious behavior, call police immediately.
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