Published Saturday, April 11, 2009

Ala. man charged with kidnapping ex-girlfriend

By Elizabeth Richardson

The Times-Herald

An Alabama resident is in custody at the Coweta County Jail after he reportedly kidnapped the woman he used to be romantically involved with -- a Coweta resident -- and drove her to Alabama.

Eric Lee Wooten, 46, will have a preliminary hearing in Coweta Magistrate Court on charges of kidnapping and aggravated stalking, according to Major James Yarbrough of the Coweta County Sheriff's Office.

On March 27 at 7:30 a.m., Wooten allegedly drove to the residence of his ex, Lori Bjornlie, at 315 Kelly Farm Road. According to Yarbrough, Bjornlie had obtained a Temporary Protective Order ordering Wooten to stay away from her and her residence.

Wooten made contact with Bjornlie and her roommate and demanded that she return with him to his home in Roanoke, Ala. Authorities say he then grabbed her by the arm and forced her into his vehicle, which was parked at a nearby neighbor's house.

Investigators immediately notified surrounding counties to be on the lookout for Wooten, and authorities with the Roanoke Police Department spotted the suspect vehicle approximately an hour later in Alabama. Bjornlie was unharmed during the incident.

Wooten was taken into police custody. Roanoke authorities have charged him additionally with driving under the influence. He has since waived his extradition hearing and was returned to the Coweta County Jail, where he remains without bond.