New details emerge about suspect in attempted abduction of 17-year-old girl in Bridgeport
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WABC) -- New details are emerging about the woman charged in an attempted abduction that was caught on camera in Bridgeport.
She is due in court Tuesday, as neighbors talk about the problems she's faced.
The suspect will be arraigned at Superior Court in Bridgeport. But we are learning more about her and a troubled life. And there is still the question of a motive.
"You never know what anybody is capable of these days," said neighbor Keisha Brown.
Brown, like others that know Towanna Randall, is surprised that this 39-year old woman, who is described as a loner, is now being charged with multiple counts stemming from a shocking attempted abduction of a 17-year old high school student.
"I seen the video and I didn't see who it was and then I noticed the car and I was like like, I think it's the lady next door," said neighbor Ashley Dingle.
That car, a Toyota Yaris missing it's back bumper was a stand-out clue when Bridgeport police released shocking video of the teenager tumbling from the car in a daring escape after investigators say she was offered a ride last Monday.
The car was found on Chapel Street in New Haven outside the apartment building where neighbors say Randall lived.
"And then I seen all the cops come. They took the car and then they arrested her and took her away," said Dingle.
Charles Artis and Jenny Richardson know Towanna Randall well, they say, including some of the troubles she has found herself in through the years.
"She was always by herself, doing things that, you know, shouldn't be doing. Or something she didn't have no business doing, you know what I'm saying. That's what took her to that place," said Artis.
Police reveal that Randall has an extensive criminal record including robbery, larceny and selling hallucinogenic drugs.
"She had no control of what she was doing. It was all about the drugs and it made her do what she does," said Artis.
What made her allegedly try and abduct this student on her way to school though is still without an answer.
"I don't know what i would do if someone snatched any of mine," asid neighbor Jenny Richardson.
Police say they spoke to her briefly but then she retained a lawyer and stopped talking.
"We don't have a motive yet, we would like to know," said assistant police chief James Nardozzi.
Randall now faces charges of sexual assault, unlawful restraint and reckless endangerment.
The incident happened near the intersection of Boston and Palisade in Bridgeport. Police believe they know why the teenager was targeted.
"It appeared to be a good Samaritan simply offering a ride to the student because it was cold out that morning," Bridgeport Assistant Police Chief James Nardozzi said.
But it suddenly turned violent, the driver assaulting the teenager in the car police say. Fearing for her life, she opened the passenger door and tumbled from the car while it was still moving. Rolling onto the ground, she suffered minor injuries.
All of it was caught on cameras that are part of the city's "Safe Corridors Program."
"Where our children walk to school. We keep them under video surveillance. And once again that video proved invaluable," Nardozzi added.
Investigators believe the video struck a chord in both the Bridgeport and New Haven communities.
"It was information from the community cooperating with the police that led us to discover the exact pinpoint location of the vehicle," Nardozzi said.
