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Man faces kidnapping charges

An Altoona man allegedly seeking to silence a woman over a court case attacked her early Sunday morning, then threw her into a car and dragged her for more than a block before she escaped, police said.

In an affidavit, Altoona police said Jordan Thomas Knutson, 21, of 1522 20th Ave. briefly kidnapped the woman while a teenage boy drove the car and another watched. Fearing for her life, the woman fought him off before officers arrived, police said.

About 1 a.m. Sunday, the woman said she noticed a banging sound at her windows, then stepped onto her porch to find Knutson outside her Pennway Drive home.

Knutson allegedly grabbed her and punched her repeatedly in the face, then dragged her to a Ford Focus on the street nearby. He threw her in, police said, and with her legs still dangling outside, allegedly shouted “go, go, go” to the 17-year-old driver.

The woman was “scared for her life and was fighting not to leave with them,” an officer wrote in the affidavit.

The car traveled about a block down the street with the woman’s legs still dragging on the ground, police said. After a short drive, the driver allegedly threw the Focus into reverse and returned to her house, where she fought her way out and called 911.

The woman told police Knutson has threatened her repeatedly over the past year, at least once threatening to kill her over a court case in which she is involved. Police said Knutson had ordered her to drop charges against him, although an officer said Sunday he was not sure whether the reported charges are criminal or civil.

Online court documents show Knutson faces a possible trial this summer for assault and harassment charges dating to January. It’s not clear whether the new case, which includes a witness intimidation charge, is related to that case.

Police arrested Knutson on Sunday near 13th Street and 15th Avenue.

He will face charges including kidnapping, aggravated assault and witness intimidation – all felonies – and two corruption of minors charges for allegedly taking two teenagers, one 17 and one 14, with him during the attack.

Police said the woman showed visible injuries, including a swollen face and cuts and scrapes on her legs. She was treated at UPMC Altoona.

Police said Knutson was jailed Sunday and was set for arraignment on the charges Sunday afternoon.

The 17-year-old is slated to face juvenile charges for his involvement, as well, police said.

Mirror Staff Writer Ryan Brown is at 946-7457.

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