An arrest warrant for attempted aggravated kidnapping has been issued for Scott Douglas Wallace in an incident involving a Tennessee State University student on the Vanderbilt University campus Sept. 21.
Wallace, 38, was previously sought as a person of interest in the case, but is now considered a suspect as a result of Vanderbilt University and Metro Nashville police departments’ ongoing investigation into the incident.
According to police reports, the TSU student was crossing 25th Avenue South at 2:12 a.m. at the intersection with Jess Neely Drive, when a white male, approximately 35 to 40 years old, driving a white minivan pulled up to the traffic light, put the van in park and exited the vehicle, leaving the driver’s side door open. He ran after the woman and knocked her to the ground. She managed to break free and ran west along Jess Neely Drive. A group of students walking south on 25th Avenue South saw the incident and began shouting and running toward the intersection. The driver ran back to the van, drove left on Jess Neely Drive and right on Natchez Trace toward West End Avenue.
The witnesses tracked down an Allied Barton security officer and a Vanderbilt community service officer who radioed the Vanderbilt University Police Department, which responded.
The TSU student received abrasions to the head and elbow.
VUPD released a flyer Monday with a photo of Wallace and a photo of a 2001 white Chevrolet Venture with Ohio tag GES7128 registered in his name and is believed to have been used in the kidnapping attempt. Police have not been able to obtain a recent address for him.
On Sunday, VUPD put out a bulletin with the descriptions of the driver and the vehicle, and notified authorities at TSU, Belmont, Lipscomb and Trevecca universities of the incident.
A security notice was issued to the Vanderbilt campus Sunday and updates are being sent as the case evolves.
Anyone seeing Wallace or knowing his whereabouts is asked to contact Nashville Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME. Citizens can also send an electronic tip to Crime Stoppers by texting the word “CASH” along with their message to 274637 (CRIMES) or online at www.nashvillecrimestoppers.com. Those who contact Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward.