DPS Officer Rescues kidnap victim following a traffic stop

On Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010, at about 5:07 a.m., the DPS dispatch center in Phoenix received a call from a citizen regarding two suspicious vehicles traveling together on I-17 northbound from downtown Phoenix. The vehicles were described as a silver passenger car with its headlights off and license plate bent upwards being followed closely by a Red Jeep Cherokee. Two minutes later at 5:09 a.m., an alert DPS officer on patrol spotted the two vehicles traveling northbound on I-17 at the I-10 interchange.

The DPS officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop for a minor traffic violations on the silver car, a Lincoln Town car, after it exited east onto Bethany Home Road. The vehicle’s driver slowed down but failed to yield to the officer traveling south on 24^th Avenue then east onto Rancho Drive before coming to an abrupt stop. After stopping, four Hispanic males fled on foot from the car in various directions. The officer, upon returning to the suspect vehicle, saw a Hispanic male lying face down on the rear seat floor board. The man was crying for help repeating “help me” several times. Located within the vehicle were two shotguns and a rifle.

Additional DPS officers as well as the Phoenix Police Department responded to the area with patrol officers, a canine unit and air support to assist in searching for the suspects. One of the suspects was taken into custody by another DPS officer. It was discovered that the suspects in both vehicles had just kidnapped the man for ransom outside of his home. The victim was targeted because he was paid in cash for his labor, and kept the money hidden in his home. Investigators are currently unable to connect the victim to an illegal enterprise. The victim was targeted because the suspects became aware of the substaintial cash savings the victim had.

The Phoenix Police Department’s Home Invasion Kidnapping Enforcement Unit (HIKE) has taken disposition of this investigation. Additional information will be provided by the Phoenix Police Department as it becomes available. Phoenix Police is being assisted by the Illegal Immigration Prevention and Apprehension Co-op Team (IIMPACT) which consists of the Phoenix Police, ICE and DPS.

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