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Kidnapping Suspect Returns to State

By Alabama Public Radio

Washington County, AL – A 55-year-old Louisiana man faces extradition to Alabama for allegedly kidnapping a Washington County banker's wife. Michael Regis Duncanson is accused of kidnapping Virginia Beech, forcing her to wear what he called a remote-controlled bomb and demanding a $400,000 ransom from Southwest Bank. Authorities say Beech's husband, Southwest Bank Vice President Ted Beech did not pay any ransom. His wife was released Tuesday unharmed on a road near Deer Park, about 25 miles from her home. Duncanson was wanted by the County Sheriff's Office on a charge of first-degree kidnapping. A federal warrant for his arrest on a charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued Wednesday.

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