Kidnapping of Eliza Fletcher – Cleotha Abston is accused of kidnapping the Jogger heiress who disappeared while on a morning run

A MAN has been charged in connection with the disappearance of missing mother-of-two Eliza Fletcher.

Cleotha Abston, 38, was arrested and charged with particularly aggravated kidnapping and evidence tampering after the millionaire heiress was kidnapped during a getaway, Memphis police said Sunday.

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The Police Department said: “The investigation into Eliza Fletcher’s kidnapping is still active and ongoing. The investigators continue the search and follow all leads.

“Eliza Fletcher has not been located at this time. MPD investigators and officials, along with our local and federal partners, continue to search for Mrs. Fletcher.”

A second man, not believed at this time to be connected to Fletcher’s kidnapping, was also charged during the investigation.

Mario Abston, 36, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture and sale fentanyl, possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture and sale heroin and convicted felon of possession of a firearm while committing a dangerous felony charged.

A spokesman said: “This remains an active and ongoing investigation.”

Surveillance footage shows the moment the mother-of-two was forced into a dark-colored SUV while jogging near the University of Memphis.

An unidentified person is seen being pushed into the vehicle after a brief struggle around 4:30am.

Eliza, a junior kindergarten teacher, was known for regularly running the same route.

Her phone was thrown to the ground and smashed, which was collected by detectives at the scene.

Last night, Eliza’s husband was seen wiping away tears as her family desperately pleaded with the kidnappers.

Richie Fletcher was standing with his wife’s family when Eliza’s uncle, Mike Keeney, urged anyone with information to contact the police.

Police have camped at the family home in Midtown Memphis, where Fletcher, known to friends as Liza, lives with her eight-year-old husband, Richard “Richie” Fletcher III, and their two children.

Another group of officers set up another site in Overton Park, not far from their home.

Police officers were seen towing their family car out of the house while pruning shears and a computer were taken as evidence.

Fletcher is the granddaughter of the late hardware magnate Joseph ‘Joe’ Orgill III. Her mother Adele is Orgill’s daughter.

The family’s wholesale hardware company, Orgill Inc., has annual sales of $3 billion, according to its website.

Announcing the $50,000 reward for information leading to her return, her family said, “We look forward to Eliza’s safe return and hope this award will help police catch those who committed this crime to have.”

Fletcher, who is 5’6″, 137 pounds and blonde, was wearing colorful shorts and a sports bra when she was abducted.

She was reported missing after failing to return home from the escape.