Police Charge Tuscaloosa Man for Christmas Eve Kidnapping, Sodomy

A Tuscaloosa man kidnapped a woman from a Tuscaloosa gas station and sexually assaulted her on Christmas Eve, police said Monday.

The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit is a multi-agency group that transcends jurisdictions within Tuscaloosa County and investigates assaults, homicides, sex crimes, and other major crimes.

Captain Jack Kennedy, the VCU's commander, said this attack happened at about 3 a.m. on Christmas Eve.

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Kennedy said the victim was shopping at the Quick Stop service station at 1000 Hargrove Road and, when attempting to re-enter her vehicle, she was confronted by a man with a weapon.

Kennedy said the man, believed to be 42-year-old Randall Latroy Richardson of Tuscaloosa, forced the woman into her own vehicle, but got into the driver's seat himself and took her to another location.

Police say the woman was on the phone with a family member at the time of the inital confrontation. When they felt something was wrong, they called the Tuscaloosa Police Department and gave them the victim's location, which she shared with family through her cell phone.

"Patrol officers were dispatched and located the victim’s vehicle, still occupied by both the victim and suspect," Kennedy said Monday morning. "The family member’s concern and quick response by TPD interrupted a sexual assault in progress. The victim was transported to the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center, a professional 24-hour crisis center for medical, counseling, and forensic care for victims of sexual assault."

The suspect, Richardson, was arrested and charged with first-degree kidnapping and first-degree sodomy. He was booked in the Tuscaloosa County Jail with no bond per Anyiah’s Law.

"Anyone who has any similar encounters with Richardson, or believes that they were a victim of an assault by him is encouraged to contact the VCU at 205 464-8690," Kennedy said.

For more exclusive coverage of crime and courts in West Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.