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WILKES-BARRE — The search for a 16-year-old girl kidnapped at gunpoint outside her home ended early Saturday with the capture of Walter Lewis in a hospital parking garage. police said.

Lewis, 21, of Wilkes-Barre was taken into custody after a brief struggle and the girl, Jenea Patterson was returned to her family unharmed, police said.

The Pennsylvania State Police issued an Amber Alert issued for Patterson following her abduction outside her home in Mineral Springs Friday and law enforcement agencies searched for her and Lewis throughout the city.

According to Wilkes-Barre police: city police and the U.S. Marshals Service responded to a tip that Lewis and Patterson were in were in the area of the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. Lewis and the girl were located in the hospital parking garage. Lewis fled on foot after seeing law enforcement officers approaching him and he was seen throwing a weapon to the ground. He was taken into custody after a brief struggle. Patterson was taken to police headquarters and turned over to her family.

Lewis was arrested on kidnapping, terroristic threats, assault and weapons charges and a warrant from Luzerne County. He was committed to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility pending further court action, police said.

A foot pursuit was initiated after the suspect noticed investigators approaching him. He attempted to flee officers and was observed throwing a weapon to the ground. He was taken into custody after a brief struggle. The victim was located with the suspect and was transported to Police HQ where she was turned over to her family. The victim was unharmed physically. Lewis was arrested on the outstanding Kidnapping warrant, weapons charges and a capias issued by Luzerne County. He was incarcerated pending further court action in the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.

Lewis
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Walter-Lewis-III-amber-alert-suspect-7-31-15.jpg.optimal.jpgLewis

Patterson
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Jeanea-Patterson-amber-alert-vic-7-31-15.jpg.optimal.jpgPatterson

By Jerry Lynott

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Reach Jerry Lynott at 570-991-6120 or on Twitter @TLNews