The man who forced a 15-year old girl into the back of his van, robbed her and began to undress her has been caught. Charles B. Smith, 26, is charged with kidnapping, attempted forcible rape, first degree robbery and three counts of armed criminal action.
The assault happened at 6 a.m. Monday morning in the 7500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue in St. Louis as the girl was walking to her bus stop.
Police say Smith forced her into his van at knife point and drove her to a garage. There he took her cell phone and backpack and removed her clothes in preparation for a sexual assault. The girl was able to fight her way free (biting him in the hand), and escaped from the car.
The judge ordered Smith held without bond.
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