Man Accused Of Kidnapping Ex-Girlfriend

A Spokane Valley woman’s former boyfriend kidnapped her at gunpoint and threatened to kill her early Tuesday, sheriff’s deputies said.

The 21-year-old woman was getting ready for bed when she heard a noise.

She turned to find her ex-boyfriend, Thomas L. Butler, 36, standing in the bedroom, deputies said.

Butler ordered the woman’s current boyfriend out of the room, then forced the woman into his car, deputies said.

As Butler drove, the woman said he threatened to kill her. A short time later, he stopped the car and told her to get out.

Deputies were alerted by the woman’s boyfriend, who pounded on neighbors’ doors until someone let him call 911. A deputy arrived in time to see the woman running down the street, headed to her apartment in the 11000 block of East Third.

Butler was arrested a short time later when he pulled into a convenience store at Barker and Appleway. A revolver was found inside his vehicle, police said.

Butler was charged with first-degree burglary and first-degree kidnapping. Bond was set at $250,000.

, DataTimes