Man Arrested For Kidnapping And Assault

A man was arrested over the weekend charged with kidnapping and assault. Police were called to Lowe’s in Newport after a call about a man hitting a woman and then forcing her into a car. Witnesses told police they heard a woman yell and observed 48 year old Shaun Gatnes push the woman into the car and hit her several times. Gatens then took off with the woman in a silver Honda Accord. A witness followed Gatens out of the parking lot where he observed the woman attempt to get out of the car at the stoplight at Epley Rd and Cosby Hwy, but Gattens pulled her back. Gatens then took off on I-40 westbound with the witness following behind communicating with police. Officers from Newport followed the Honda into Jefferson County eventually stopping Gatens on Interstate 81 at Exit 4. He is charged with kidnapping/abduction and domestic assault. The 31 year old victim was not identified.