Detective Kevin Barry along with Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Shawn Jackson are investigating a kidnapping and rape that occurred early Thursday morning, around 12:30am. The investigating deputies report a lone female victim was driving a van, when she was flagged down by a man with a flashlight, who stopped the victim to advise her of a wreck ahead. The suspect then entered the passenger side of the vehicle and they drove to an unknown location where he raped the 47 year old female while armed with a knife. He tied her up in the back of the van and abandoned it behind the Liberty Gas Station. She was found by employees around 5:30am after screaming was heard from the van. She was taken to Saint Joseph Hospital in London for treatment. The suspect is described as a man with a dark complexion, wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt. If you have any information, contact the Laurel County Sheriff’s office at 606-864-6600 or 606-878-7000.