Attempted kidnap suspect enters plea

WAKEFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) -- A man accused of trying to abduct a woman at gunpoint in Narragansett last year was sentenced to prison Wednesday morning after entering a guilty plea.

Matthew Klotz appeared before the judge in Washington County Superior Court and pleaded guilty to one count of attempted kidnapping, stalking and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence.

Superior Court Justice Melanie Thunberg sentenced Klotz to 20 years in prison with eight to serve and the remainder suspended with probation.

State police arrested the New London, Conn. man last October in connection with the attempted abduction of a female jogger on Ocean Rd. in Narragansett.

Police say Klotz held a BB gun to the woman's head and demanded she get into his teal pick-up truck. However, the woman fought back and was able to escape and contact police.

In court, the victim described the experience as "the most severe and traumatic night" of her life. She said that following the incident, she was "traumatized to say home alone," and had to "leave class numerous times, was unable to be around large groups of people, terrified to walk on campus alone at night, and had recurrent, haunting nightmares."

Troopers tracked Klotz down the next day in South Kingstown after recognizing the vehicle described in the attempted abduction.

Klotz apologized to the victim and her family in court, saying that he was "truly sorry" for putting her in that position, and said that the incident was "the result of a huge mental breakdown."

During the investigation, police discovered Klotz stalked another jogger in Narragansett, but the victim eluded him by running into a nearby store.