Attempted kidnapping of pizza delivery driver reported in Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids police are investigating the attempted kidnapping of a pizza delivery driver.

No one was injured in the incident early Tuesday morning at Oak Hill Manor Apartments, 1221 15th St. SE. A 20-year-old woman delivered a Papa John's pizza around 12:30 a.m. and was waiting by the elevator when a man in his 40s emerged from his apartment and grabbed her, police said.

"He put his hand over her mouth and was trying to drag her into his apartment," Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said. "The struggle was on their feet."

The woman escaped his grasp, went outside to her vehicle and called police. Officers went to the apartment in question, but the man was not there. A naked female answered the door, according to the police report.

"(She) wasn't fully cooperative, and didn't want to talk to the police," Hamblin said.

A K-9 unit dog was called to the scene, but tracking was unsuccessful. Investigators believe they know the identity of the man involved and are confident an arrest will be made, Hamblin said.

Hamblin said it appears the pizza delivery was not related to the incident, because it went to a neighbor's apartment. The woman told police she had never seen the man before.

"I couldn't imagine what was going through her head," Hamblin said. "She's a very brave young woman."

The suspect is described as a black male in his 40s, about 6 feet tall and 220 pounds. He was wearing a tank top and jeans. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (319) 286-5491 or Linn County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-CS-CRIME.

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