Domestic argument leads to abduction, assault charges

A 23-year-old Culpeper man was in custody Friday after he allegedly fought with his former girlfriend and then locked her in a closet at her apartment.

Culpeper police charged Thomas Neil Lane, of the 600 block of Southview Court, with abduction and misdemeanor domestic assault and battery.

Police say Lane had gone to the apartment of the 22-year-old female victim to pick up some clothing about 9:35 Thursday night. The woman then reportedly asked Lane to provide money to help pay for the utilities at the apartment, which the two of them had shared for about four months before their relationship broke up. The victim also asked Lane to sign a document allowing them to break the lease, according to a press release from Wally Bunker, town public information officer.

Lane is said to have refused to sign the agreement or to give the woman money.

The victim told Officer Lonnie Myers and Sgt. Julie Brooking, who responded to the call, that she then began taking Lane’s clothes from the closet and throwing them into a pile.

That’s when police say Lane attempted to get his clothes from the closet himself, but was blocked by the woman. Police report that Lane then grabbed the victim, shoved her into the closed and locked the door.

According to the report, the woman was left in the closet for several minutes until Lane let her out after she pleaded with him.

Lane is scheduled to appear in general district court June 25 at 8:30 a.m.