New unrelated charges filed against Eliza Fletcher’s alleged kidnapper
Memphis Police at the scene of Eliza Fletcher’s early morning kidnapping on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022 near the University of Memphis. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Cleotha Abston, accused of kidnapping schoolteacher Eliza Fletcher, had new charges filed against him Monday, Sept. 5.
Defendant Cleotha Abston (middle) appears in Judge Louis Montesi’s courtroom for his arraignment on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Abston has been charged in the kidnapping of Eliza Fletcher. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
In addition to charges for especially aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence, he is now also charged with identity theft, theft of property of $1,000 or less and fraudulent use or illegal possession of a credit or debit card $1,000 or less.
The new charges don’t appear connected to the Fletcher disappearance. They are related to an alleged theft that occurred Thursday, Sept. 1, at a Malco Theater on North Germantown Parkway.
According to police, Abston stole the victim’s wristlet and used her cards to make several purchases.
“The manager at JanPro, advised that he found the victim’s wristlet on a sofa while cleaning the property,” police said. “He put the wristlet on the concession counter to turn in to theater management at approximately 23:30 hours on 8/31.”
Jan-Pro is a commercial cleaning service.
The owner of Majesty’s Cleaning Service, Abston’s employer, works with the manager of Jan-Pro and identified her employee.
Police said surveillance shows Abston throwing a trash bag over the wristlet and removing it from a counter.
The wristlet has a value of $7 and contained the victim’s driver’s license and credit cards.
Police said the surveillance showing Abston wearing similar shoes to the slides found at the site of Fletcher’s abduction helped investigate the kidnapping.
A $500,000 bail has been set for Abston after his arrest over the weekend. He is due to appear in Judge Louis Montesi’s courtroom in General Sessions Criminal Court Division 13 Tuesday, Sept. 6.
Monday afternoon, there were reports of police on ATVs searching stretches of Nonconnah Creek off Interstate 240, including at Perkins and Getwell.
Police were also seen searching areas off Interstate 240 and Getwell Sunday, Sept. 4.
Memphis Boat Center, where Fletcher’s husband works, is located off Interstate 240 and Getwell.
Fletcher was abducted while she was running by the University of Memphis around 4:20 a.m. Friday, Sept. 2.
Police say surveillance footage filmed Abston pass her and stop to wait for her. When she passed his vehicle, he ran toward her and forced her into the passenger side of his GMC Terrain.
Police used DNA evidence from Champion slides he left at the scene of the abduction, as well as a partial plate reading, cellphone signals and witness statements to identify and locate Abston.
Abston was detained Saturday, Sept. 3. The next day, he was charged with aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence.
Abston has reportedly refused to tell investigators her location. She has still not been located.
Topics
Cleotha Abston Eliza FletcherJulia Baker
A lifelong Memphian, Julia Baker graduated from the University of Memphis in 2021. Other publications and organizations she has written for include Chalkbeat, Memphis Flyer, Memphis Parent magazine and Memphis magazine.
Public Safety on demand
Sign up to receive Public Safety stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Comments have been disabled on this story.