2 men try abducting female realtor, North Ridgeville police say

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio (WOIO) - A 54-year-old woman is safe after breaking free from two men who attempted to abduct her Saturday.

David J. Helton, of Vermillion, and Michael W.B. Evans, of Henrietta Township, were arrested Wednesday for 3rd- degree abduction and 1st-degree assault, according to a North Ridgeville police press release.

The woman told police that she is a realtor, and the men drove up to her in a silver SUV while she was waiting to show a home.

Helton and Evans asked the woman for a business card after a brief conversation, police said.

When she returned to their car to deliver the card, the men tried pulling her in, according to the release.

The victim told police that the men yelled, “Get her in here!” and “Let’s go!”

Police said she escaped and locked herself inside her car.

Realtors, because of the nature of their job, can find themselves in danger, and that’s why, according to the Akron -Cleveland Association of Realtors that safety training is a critical, ongoing part of the job.

Tammy Smith, a manager at Russell Real Estate Services, says realtors are often isolated while showing homes.

“Ninety percent of the time, we are by ourselves, and 90 percent of the time, the agents put their picture on everything,” Smith said.

Smith says agents are put at risk during personal showings and are completely exposed during scheduled open houses.

She says all good realtors will keep safety at the top of mind even in a competitive business where you can sometimes let your guard down when trying to make a sale.

“Always use your gut feeling, and if it doesn’t feel right, it’s not right,” Smith said.

In the case in North Ridgeville, the victim cut her arm and had bruises, police said.

The men are awaiting a Thursday court date and are in the Lorain County Jail.

Return to 19 News for updates.

Copyright 2020 WOIO. All rights reserved.