Watch: Store staff protect kidnapped woman from ex-boyfriend, police say

Staff protect women from ex-boyfriend after she runs into store for safety

A woman who was allegedly kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend in Butler, Pennsylvania, was protected by staff after she ran into a store to escape him on Feb. 14.

Video shows the heartstopping moments a kidnapped woman escaped and was protected by staff at a convenience store in Pennsylvania last week. 

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The woman, who was not immediately identified, told police that she was allegedly involved in a fight with her kidnapper, Kenneth Clarke. 

Clarke strangled the victim and shoved her into a wall before he put her into a U-Haul truck while threatening her with a pair of scissors.

In the video, the truck can be seen stopped in front of a convenience store when the victim jumps out of it. 

She is then seen running into the store where employees ushered her to the back. Tori Adams, who worked at the store, told local news media that the victim had blood on her face, torn clothes and was screaming that she had been kidnapped. 

The victim allegedly fled from the vehicle after Clarke threatened to kill her. 

Clarke appeared to come after the victim but was chased out of the store by Adams, according to the footage. 

FILE - Freeze frame taken from video showing a woman who was allegedly kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend and running into a store for safety on Feb. 14, 2026. (Credit: Butler Tobacco & Grocery via Storyful)

Local perspective:

Clarke was later arrested on multiple charges, including kidnapping, aggravated assault, strangulation and terroristic threats.