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Man arrested for kidnapping teen in Ohio, holding her captive in Oceanfront motel

Posted at 12:05 AM, May 30, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-30 10:51:08-04

Virginia Beach, Va. - A Cleveland man is accused of kidnapping a 17-year-old girl, driving to Virginia Beach from Ohio, then holding her captive inside an Oceanfront motel room.

33-year-old Edwin Rosario is behind bars and facing charges in both states, including sexual battery and kidnapping.

NewsChannel 3 spoke to the victim's family today who says they knew the man that kidnapped their daughter over Mother's Day weekend.

They say he was a music teacher at their church in Cleveland and someone they trusted. However, court records reveal Edwin Rosario has a history as a sex offender.

A search warrant reveals hair dye, broken glass and a sharp instrument were all found inside the motel room where the girl was held against her will.

According to sister station in Cleveland, WJW, Cleveland police say Rosario stole the girl`s father`s truck and left with the teen, who police say agreed to go with him. Once in Virginia Beach though, court records say it quickly turned violent.

Rosario checked into the Sea Shell Motel off Atlantic Avenue May 12th. Once inside the room, police say he tried to make the teen dye her hair and threatened to hurt her or himself with glass from a broken ashtray if she tried to escape.

Records say the two later went to a 7-Eleven where the teen was able to sneak and call a relative for help.

Beach police later arrested Rosario at the Sea Shell Motel.

The teen's family says she is back in Cleveland, receiving counseling.

All of this happened less than a week after another Cleveland man, Ariel Castro, was arrested for kidnapping and trapping three young women inside his home for a decade.