Blacksburg man arrested on alleged kidnapping

A Blacksburg man was arrested on multiple charges stemming from the alleged kidnapping of a 15-year-old Milwaukee girl in 2022. Owen Lars Anderson, 37, is also accused of holding the victim, now 19 years old, against her will for years.

The investigation began on May 23 after the Blacksburg Police Department (BPD) responded to an alleged domestic disturbance at a local residence. The apparent victim told police she was reported missing as juvenile. Detectives with BPD gathered enough evidence to conduct a search of Anderson’s home. Anderson was taken into custody on May 27.

Anderson is currently being held in Western Virginia Regional Jail without bond. He is awaiting extradition back to Wisconsin on the following charges:

Kidnapping of a child under 16 years of age for concubinage or prostitution
Labor endangerment, cruelty or injuries to children
Assault, strangulation resulting in wounding or bodily injury
Vandalism, damage property, damage telephone line or intercept message (preventing 911 call)

According to multiple media outlets, Anderson allegedly met the victim online and convinced her to leave her Milwaukee home in June 2022.