This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A two-day hunt for a woman allegedly abducted by her estranged boyfriend came to an end about 10:45 a.m. Thursday, when Blanca Soldier, 24, was dropped off near her parents' west Salt Lake City home.
Detectives said it appeared she had been held against her will for the past two days and had not suffered injury, but they declined to release further details as the investigation continued.
Earlier, Salt Lake City police Sgt. Robin Heiden said that Soldier was reported to have been arguing with 26-year-old Erwing Rico about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday when he forced her into a vehicle outside her parents' home near 1000 North and 900 West.
Soldier, recovering from a leg injury, left her crutches behind. Police say she has not posted for two days on her Facebook page, which her family says is unusual — and her phone goes direct to voicemail.
Rico and Soldier have three children together, Heiden said. The two have a history of domestic abuse complaints, and Rico currently has two related warrants out for his arrest.
Witnesses provided a license plate for the vehicle that spirited Soldier away, and police confirmed it was registered to Rico. Officers went to the listed Midvale address but could not find either Rico or the vehicle there.
On Wednesday, detectives located the vehicle, and later found a second car Rico apparently switched over to. On Thursday, Heiden said, Rico was believed to have moved on to a third vehicle, this time a 1997 model Chevrolet Tahoe with the license plate number Y031GT.
Soldier had not been heard from since Tuesday evening. A witness was talking with Soldier on her cellphone and overheard a loud argument break out before the call ended.
Rico is Latino with a shaved head, last seen wearing a black or gray-striped shirt and tan shorts.
Anyone with information on this case is urged to call SLCPD at 801-799-3000, or anonymously text the keyword TIPSLCPD to 274637.
Twitter: @remims