Internet Virtual Romance Ends with Arrest

(Claymont, Delaware) A 33-year-old North Carolina woman, Kimberly Jernigan, was arrested yesterday for attempted kidnapping.

Jernigan's troubles started when she became involved in a virtual relationship with a 52-year-old man in an Internet online community called "Second Life." The online relationship didn't last and it upset Jernigan.

According to investigators, Jernigan reacted to the break up badly, and she allegedly attempted to kidnap her ex from his office in Pennsylvania about two weeks ago.

After that failed, police said she returned to the area on Monday, along with her dog, Gogi, and allegedly spent several days posing as a postal worker in order to determine the victim's address, police said.

Jernigan eventually tracked the man down, and while he was not home, allegedly broke into his apartment, police said. She brought Gogi along, police said.

But once inside the residence, the dog began to make too much noise and Jernigan allegedly duct taped the animal's mouth closed and locked him in her ex-boyfriend's bathroom, police said.

When the 52-year-old came home, he saw someone pointing an object at his chest that was projecting a laser beam. He bolted and called the cops.

Officers arriving at the scene discovered a pair of handcuffs, a roll of duct tape, a Taser and a BB gun as well as the suspect's dog.

Police said Jernigan had bound her dog Gogi with duct tape and put him in the bathroom as he was making too much noise. The dog was said to be uninjured, but the SPCA is looking into possible charges of animal cruelty.

Approximately an hour after the incident, authorities in Maryland spotted Jernigan's vehicle at a rest stop on I-95. She was taken into custody after a brief struggle.

Jernigan is currently facing charges of attempted kidnapping, burglary and aggravated menacing.

Weird, eh?

Tip: slwlion