Suspect in failed kidnapping arrested

A Columbia man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of felonious restraint in connection with an attempted kidnapping of an 18-year-old Columbia woman in the 900 block of Moss Street.

The woman told Columbia Police that Mark A. Thompson, 46, knocked on her front door around 6 p.m. Monday, impersonating a police officer. He then tried to kidnap her from her apartment, according to a police news release.

She told police Thompson pretended to arrest her by handcuffing her arm, but she was able to break free from him, police said. Thompson then threatened the woman with a handgun before escaping in his car, police said.

Thompson arranged with his attorney to turn himself in on the charge, police said.