Suspect in attempted abduction of 17-year-old girl in Bridgeport arraigned

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WABC) -- The woman accused in an attempted abduction in Bridgeport that ended with the 17-year-old victim diving out of a moving vehicle appeared in court Tuesday.

Towanna Randall is now sitting in a jail cell and facing bail of $125,000 after her arraignment. She is charged with unlawful restraint, sexual assault and reckless endangerment.

"I think the victim is surprised that it happened," Police Chief Joseph Gaudett, Jr., said. "It's a tough lesson to learn, but I know she has learned a lesson here."

Authorities say the Randall and the victim did not know each other, and that Randall claimed she stopped and told the girl to get in the car because, "She looked cold."

Within moments, police say the victim was sexually assaulted and then made her escape. But court documents reveal that Randall told a detective she thinks the victim stole money from a cup holder.

"I noticed that the money that I had in the change thing, whatever, was missing," she said, according to the court documents. "So I grabbed her hair. She freaks out, and then she jumps out of the car. That's it."

Police say she later stopped talking to them, before her arrest.

"She was not cooperative with the investigation," Gaudett said. "But she did not resist arrest."

While police say Randall has an extensive criminal record, there is no indication of this being a pattern crime.

As for the 17-year-old victim, police plan to remain in contact.

"We will continue to work with her and get her the help she needs to put this behind her," Gaudett said. "And certainly, I'm thrilled that the perpetrator is off the street."

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