Man charged with aggravated battery and attempted kidnapping in Arthur

ARTHUR, Ill. (WAND)- WAND News has learned new information about the suspect in an attempted kidnapping in Arthur.

Officers were called out to a business a little after 5:15 Monday morning where they met with the victim.

The girl said she had been approached by a man from behind and battered by him. He then tried to carry her away on foot, but a woman who witnessed the crime was able to chase him down until he released the girl.

After the attempted kidnapping, he ran away. Officers found the suspect, Lester M. Raymind, in Lovington and took him into custody.

WAND News spoke with Arthur Police Chief Elliott Tinnon, who said that the victim sustained severe injuries.

"It was severe enough that it required surgical intervention. We have received word that the victim is doing well. She recovered in surgery and is doing well," said Tinnon.

The community is shocked that something like this could happen in their small town.

"Up until a week and a half ago, we hadn't had any sort of criminal contact with Mr. Raymind...a kidnapping, and aggravated battery with an attempted kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, is very rare for this area," said Tinnon.

According to the State Attorney, Raymind had a prior battery charge from February 7 in Douglas County, which has been elevated to aggravated battery. In addition to this charge, he now faces new allegations of aggravated battery and aggravated kidnapping.

At a detention hearing Tuesday, Raymind was denied pre-trial release.