Fox News Flash top headlines for September 4
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The man who was charged in relation to the abduction of the Memphis mother of two was allegedly seen "cleaning the interior" of a GMC Terrain, which police said is a "vehicle of interest" in the case.
An affidavit for Cleotha Abston's arrest released by the Memphis Police Department on Sunday also stated that two witnesses saw the suspect "washing his clothes in the sink of the house."
Eliza Fletcher was reported missing at around 7:45 a.m. on Friday when police received two calls, one from Fletcher's husband, Richard Fletcher III, and one from the University of Memphis. Police say that she was forcefully taken into a car at 4:30 a.m.
Abston was taken into custody on Saturday afternoon and charged with especially aggravated kidnapping and tampering.
ABDUCTED ELIZA FLETCHER: FAMILY OF MISSING MOTHER MAKES PLEA FOR PUBLIC'S HELP IN LOCATING ELIZA
Eliza Fletcher kidnapping suspect Cleotha Abston (Memphis PD/TBI/Shelby County Jail)
Abston, according to police, "ran aggressively toward" Fletcher, who was out for a morning run, and then "forced" her into the passenger's side of the GMC Terrain, adding that there was a "struggle" during the abduction.
Police said that Champion slides sandals were found at the scene of the abduction, which were sent for DNA testing. Officials then found that the shoes matched Cleotha Abston.
This image provided by the Memphis Police Department shows Eliza Fletcher out for a run before she was abducted. (Memphis Police Department)
On Saturday at 10:45 a.m., members of the U.S. Marshals Service located the GMC Terrain in a parking lot in the 5700 block of Waterstone Oak Way, where Abston lives, according to police, who then said that a male matching the description of the suspect was spotted.
Abston attempted to flee the scene but was taken into custody, police said.
A spokesperson for the Memphis Police Department told Fox News Digital that it located the dark-colored GMC Terrain, which was earlier labeled a vehicle of interest, and added that the male occupant of the car "has been detained for further investigation." (Memphis Police Department)
Police said that two people, including Abston's brother, Mario, told officers that they had seen the suspect cleaning the GMC Terrain with floor cleaner, adding that he was washing clothes in the sink.
Mario Abston told police that his brother was acting "strange."
Eliza Fletcher was an avid runner. (Liza Fletcher/Facebook)
Once in custody, according to police, Cleotha Abston declined to tell investigators where Eliza Fletcher was.
Police also said that it is "probable and apparent" from witness statements that Fletcher's injuries "left evidence, e.g., blood, in the vehicle that the Defendant cleaned."
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Deputies with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office were seen on Sunday in the area of Abston's residence but told Fox News Digital that they couldn't comment on if they were investigating Fletcher's abduction.
People with information in relation to the abduction are urged to call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH (2274).
