A James City County man was arrested by Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office deputies Nov. 15 after he allegedly abducted his ex-girlfriend in James City County and then took her to Isle of Wight County, where she was able to call 911.
Maj. Stephen Rubino of the James City County Police Department said 33-year-old Dennie Lee Rankins met with an ex-girlfriend that day on the 5400 block of Skalak Drive. She got in the car with him, at which point he is alleged to have taken her keys and laptop computer. He searched for her cell phone and then sped off with her still in the vehicle.
Rankins allegedly took her to Isle of Wight County, where they stopped at a Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits in Carrollton. The victim was at that point able to dial 911 on her cell phone. Deputies from the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office responded and took Rankins into custody. The victim was not injured.
He was charged there with abduction and violating a protective order. The James City County Police Department was later notified of the incident. The Isle of Wight County charges were then dropped, with the same charges being filed in James City County.
Rankins is currently being held at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.
Court records show Rankins was found guilty of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute in 2011. He was sentenced to five years in prison with four years and 11 months suspended. He is currently on probation for that offense.
