Police: Cape man kidnapped woman, then raped, assaulted her

Editor's note: According to the prosecuting attorney's office, the charges against Michael D. Pruitt in this case were dropped after the subject of the case discontinued her cooperation in the case.

A Cape Girardeau man kidnapped a woman at knifepoint outside of a fast-food restaurant in Jackson, took her back to his apartment and physically and sexually assaulted her, police say.

Jackson police arrested Michael D. Wolf Pruitt, 18, on Tuesday. The Cape Girardeau County prosecuting attorney’s office charged Pruitt with kidnapping, rape and second-degree domestic assault. His bond was set at $50,000, cash only.

Jackson and Cape Girardeau police investigated the case. The victim visited the front lobby of the Jackson police station at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday and told an officer she had been held against her will and raped, according to a probable-cause statement filed by Jackson officer Jason Wilhelm.

The victim said she was outside of the restaurant where she worked about 11:30 p.m. Monday in the 2200 block of East Jackson Boulevard when Pruitt pulled alongside her in his car, Wilhelm wrote. Pruitt and the victim previously were romantically involved, according to the statement.

He told her to get in the car and held a small knife to her throat, which left a mark, according to the statement.

Pruitt and the victim drove to his apartment in the 800 block of North Sprigg Street, and Pruitt forced her inside using the knife, according to a probable-cause statement filed by Cape Girardeau officer Douglas Hays.

Once inside, Pruitt pulled the victim down by her hair, knocked her down onto his couch, choked her and raped her, Hays wrote.

When Pruitt went to the bathroom, the victim left the apartment, only to be quickly found, according to the statement. Pruitt continued the assault, hitting the victim in the side and choking her, Hays wrote.

Pruitt brought the victim back to Jackson and told her he hoped she would kill herself before he drove away, Wilhelm wrote.

Wilhelm contacted Pruitt, who said he was expecting to talk with police, according to the statement.

Pruitt said he did not kidnap the victim, and the scratches on her midsection were when he tickled her without any prompting from Wilhelm, according to the statement. Pruitt said the victim previously accused him of rape, and he would not be surprised if she did it again, Wilhelm wrote.

bkleine@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

2200 block of East Jackson Boulevard, Jackson, Mo.