Scottdale police seek information on missing woman, alleged kidnapper

Scottdale police are seeking help to find a woman who reported being kidnapped earlier in the week, but escaped on Wednesday.

Lydia Prince, 48, has not been heard from since Thursday afternoon and was reported missing by relatives, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office. Borough police believe she might be in a red Subaru Impreza with a license plate MBS-5604.

Authorities continue to look for Shawn Prince, 29, after an arrest warrant was issued for him Wednesday. He is charged with kidnapping, simple assault, terroristic threats and harassment.

Borough police checked the Princes’ Jennings Avenue home Wednesday afternoon upon being notified the woman hadn’t been heard from in a couple days after a domestic dispute. While they were there, Lydia Prince called 911 from the parking lot of the police station.

The woman told police Prince kidnapped her Monday, drove her to a rural wooded area she didn’t recognize and put a gun to her head, according to court papers.

They stayed there until Wednesday morning. When Prince allowed her to drive after using drugs and falling asleep, she eventually recognized an area in Fayette County and headed toward the Scottdale police station, authorities said.

Prince woke when she got out of the car and he drove away, threatening to set her house on fire, according to court papers.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of either Lydia or Shawn Prince is asked to call 911 or Scottdale Police at 724-887-8220.