Family members of accused abductor speak out

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (WSVN) -- The family of a man who abducted a heath clinic worker is speaking out.

The family of Vinson Jerome Rattray, Jr. defended him on Tuesday. They are denying that Rattray stalked and held a woman at gunpoint because she rejected him. "He did not kidnap her at gunpoint," said Arthur Rice. "I'm saying that. I'm his uncle. I love him, and I know him. I think it's some conspiracy."

Rattray, 32, is accused of ambushing and kidnapping at gunpoint a female employee from the clinic where he was once a patient.

Rattray showed up to the Amadeo Trinchitella Deerfield Beach High School Health Center, located at 910 SW 15th St., at around 1 p.m. Monday where he took the victim at gunpoint. Seven hours after the abduction, at around 8:30 p.m., Coral Springs SWAT members, along with the Coral Springs Police Department, successfully negotiated Rattray's surrender.

At a bond hearing Tuesday, Broward County Circuit Court Judge John Hurley said, "Held her against her will, all this time telling her that you were going to kill her, allegedly, and she says that you told her that you were doing this because you had been rejected ... At some point, your mask or your bandana fell off, and that's how she knew that you were the person who had asked her out on a date."

Rattray's brother said all of the allegations are lies. "That's a bold face lie," said Jay Style. "My brother never stalked that lady. Last time I heard about my brother with that lady, he said that she said that they was good and that they were friends."

Police said the victim was not injured, but she was taken to a nearby hospital for a full evaluation.

"Sir, count one is kidnapping," said Hurley. "Count two, displaying a firearm during a felony. Count three, possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon. Count four, wearing a mask while committing a felony. Count five, aggravated stalking."

Rattray's sister said her brother is not a criminal. "He is no vicious criminal. He's no stalker. He's no pedophile type of person," said Octavia Rattray. "He's nothing like that, my brother is a loving person."

Rattray is being held without bond.

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