Staff report
Bloomington, Indiana – October 23, 2023
An abduction unfolded on October 19th, 2023, when Richard Allen White Jr. allegedly kidnapped a 5-year-old child and two others in Bloomington, Indiana. White is now facing multiple charges, including kidnapping and making threats.
In court documents, according to the Bloomington Police Department, the incident began when White’s girlfriend, was at work at a local club. White, in a fit of anger, demanded that his on again off again girlfriend disclose her earnings for the night, which she refused to do immediately because she was working. She “told Ricky that she could not talk about it right now due to her being in the dressing room and around other dancers.”
“Ricky would not stop harassing her about how much she had earned and insisted she count her money. (woman’s name) said something to the effect of ‘dude I’m not arguing right now,’ so she hung up the phone and returned to work,” according to court documents.
White’s anger escalated, and he called the club’s phone, making multiple threats and demanding the woman’s immediate attention. To put pressure on her, he stole the babysitter’s phone and began sending intimidating text messages and audio messages.
White wrote, “”Man fuck u how I’m omw up there bitch don’t be ready watch how I act a mf fool bitch” … etc., and used racist language.
White’s texts included threats of harm and high-speed chases with the child if she did not comply with his demands. He even sent a video with the child present in the backseat of the vehicle, further escalating the situation.
The texts left the woman, in fear for her safety and that of her child. Someone then contacted the authorities, who began their search for White and the abducted individuals.
“Officers with the Bloomington Police Department and Deputies with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office were canvassing the area where the vehicle was located on foot and by drones. Ricky stated on speaker phone with (name of woman) that he could see officers in the area and was attempting to move in such a manner to evade them,” according to court documents.
Officers were able to locate White within 45 minutes and took him into custody. They also conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle, where they found the child, the babysitter, and the babysitter’s boyfriend unharmed.
During the investigation, it was revealed that White had used coercive tactics to deceive the babysitter and her boyfriend into believing there was an emergency, prompting them to accompany him. While there were threats made via text messages, it was the babysitter’s phone that White had taken.
Richard Allen White Jr. was arrested and is now facing a slew of charges, including kidnapping (Level 5 and Level 6 felonies), intimidation (Level 6 felony), resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor), and theft (Class A misdemeanor). He is currently in custody at the Monroe County Jail.
