Virginia man arrested and charged with abducting woman who is still missing

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, Va. (TCD) -- A 50-year-old man was taken into custody in connection with a missing woman who was last seen Jan. 12.

Northumberland County Sheriff Johnny Beauchamp announced in a videotaped press release that deputies received a call Jan. 13 at 4:46 a.m. that kicked off a search for 28-year-old Ahreal Smith. She was reportedly last seen finishing her shift at Claraville Little Sue convenience store in Heathsville on the night of Jan. 12.

Beauchamp said Smith started her car at 9:05 p.m., then went back inside to close up the shop by turning on the alarm and throwing out the trash. She reportedly took the trash to a dumpster on the east side of the building that was out of a surveillance camera’s view. She was not seen again after that. Smith reportedly got into a car, but Beauchamp said the driver has been interviewed and is not considered a suspect.

The day shift employee reportedly found Smith’s car still running when they showed up to work the next day. K-9 units went to the store to locate Smith’s scent from the dumpsters, but the trail ended after about 100 yards.

According to a Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office missing person bulletin, Smith was last seen wearing a black Nike sweatshirt, jeans, and brown Ugg boots. The Sheriff’s Office said they arrested Tyrone Samuel on Jan. 15 and charged him with Smith’s abduction. She remains missing and the Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate.

Ahreal Smith’s sister Lydia Smith spoke after Beauchamp and urged anyone with information to come forward.

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