Lamar man charged with kidnapping former girlfriend, putting her in garden shed

(From the Lamar Police Department)

During the early morning of 04-26-2023, Lamar Police Officers responded to a call near the intersection of 9th and Broadway after dispatch received multiple 911 calls reporting a woman screaming for help. 

One of the callers reported that it sounded like a man was chasing a woman. When the officers arrived, they located a vehicle with the engine running and the driver’s side door was open. The vehicle had struck a residence near the intersection. The officers immediately began searching for the registered owner of the vehicle.

Their investigation revealed that Matthew F. Clements, 30, of Lamar Mo. had been following a woman that he had previously been in a relationship with. 

Near the intersection of 9th and Broadway, he blocked her vehicle with his; forcibly removed her from the vehicle and placed her in his vehicle, without her consent. The woman’s vehicle was still in drive, which caused it to travel through the intersection and collide with a house after she was removed.

Clements then transported the woman to a residence where he placed her in a garden shed. During this time, he threatened her, telling her he would not hurt her if she wouldn’t try to leave. After a length of time, he released the woman. The woman did receive minor injuries from this incident.

Matthew Clements was arrested by the Lamar Police Department and a charge of Kidnapping has been filed by the Barton County Prosecutor’s Office. Matthew F. Clements is currently being held in the Barton County Jail on a no bond warrant. 

As is the case in all arrests, charges are based on probable cause and all persons are considered innocent until or unless proven guilty in court.