The man wanted in connection with the recent attack against a McComb woman surrendered to authorities Thursday night after going on the lam in Louisiana for more than 24 hours.
McComb police booked 19-year-old Keethion Dontrel Turner, 341 Third St., McComb, on charges of kidnapping, rape, aggravated assault and armed robbery.
Detective Shannon Sullivan said Turner’s family members had remained in contact with police as soon as media reports disseminated Turner’s name and photo Wednesday, and investigators eventually convinced his relatives to urge Turner to surrender.
He said Turner fled to Kenner, Louisiana, following his alleged sudden attack on a woman in the 300 block of Virginia Avenue around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.
Officers responded to the scene after the victim, suffering from apparent stabs wounds, drove herself to the police department immediately following the attack.
Sullivan said Turner knocked on the woman’s door and asked to come inside to use her phone. The woman reportedly knew Turner, who did yard work for her in the past, so she allowed him inside.
After gaining entry, Turner allegedly brandished a knife and held her there against her will. He then allegedly stabbed her with the knife and raped her.
The suspect then attempted to rob the victim by forcing her at knifepoint to leave and go to an ATM, Sullivan said.
As the victim and suspect were leaving the house, however, the victim’s brother, who was outside cutting grass, noticed something was wrong and began to ask his sister if she was OK, which prompted the suspect to flee.
Sullivan said the victim’s brother told his sister to go get help while he chased after the suspect on foot. The brother chased him for several blocks before losing sight of him.
After the victim drove herself to the police department, EMT units transported her to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center. She was released from the hospital this morning after receiving treatment for stab wounds to her arm and chest.
Amite County Sheriff Tim Wroten said his office received a call from a woman who told deputies her daughter was Turner’s girlfriend.
The sheriff said Turner reportedly picked up his girlfriend Wednesday in Amite County and left with her.
Turner remained in the Pike County jail with no bond set as of this morning.
