Greenville man arrested on felony kidnapping charges

A Greenville man was arrested this week on felony kidnapping charges after police said he restrained a 16-year-old girl in the bedroom of his residence earlier this month.

Mercer state police said Kyle Watt, 26, held the girl for a period of about 24 hours on May 7 and he refused to let her leave the room.

Watt reportedly took the girl’s cellphone from her and broke an iPod that he discovered her trying to send text messages from, police said.

He also threatened the girl, struck her in the face and eventually raped her.

Following the sexual assault, Watt still would not let the girl leave and made her stay in the room with him until the following day, police said.

Upon releasing the girl, Watt threatened her life and the lives of her family members if she told anyone about what happened.

Watt was taken into custody Monday with the assistance of Shenango Township police department after he was discovered at a residence in the township.

He was arraigned Tuesday before district judge Neil McEwen on charges that include felony counts of kidnapping, rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse threat forcible compulsion, sexual assault and corruption of minors.

Watt has also been charged with terroristic threats, unlawful restraint, harassment and criminal mischief.

He was lodged in the Mercer County jail after failing to post $100,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled May 26.