MONONA (WKOW) - Monona Police officials say they've contacted a person-of-interest, after a woman dashed into a gas station and said she was in danger, and then disappeared.
Authorities say the woman was in a sedan with a man Monday just past 8 p.m. at the Shell Station at 1220 E. Broadway. Surveillance video viewed by a 27 News reporter shows the woman sprinting from the car. Monona Police Chief Walter Ostrenga says the woman hid on the gas station property as the man entered the station's retail area, and only emerged after he drove away.
Ostrenga says the woman then entered the building wearing slacks but only a sports bra despite below freezing temperatures, and told a clerk someone was trying to harm her. Ostrenga says she stole a tee shirt and left the store. He says the clerk called 911. Police have released surveillance images of the woman inside the building.
Ostrenga says they've identified the driver of the car as a Monona business owner.
Ostrenga says the man is considered a person-of-interest in the investigation, and was contacted by police personnel.
"He is refusing to discuss the situation with us," Ostrenga tells 27 News.Authorities say officers used drones and police dogs to try to locate the woman Monday night, but were unable to locate her.
Ostrenga says with the woman's escape from the gas station , she is not considered to be in immediate danger, but at risk.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 608-222-0463.
For more on this story: http://www.wkow.com/story/37770530/2018/03/20/police-person-of-interest-in-womans-claim-of-danger-disappearance