Salt Lake City kidnapping foiled when would-be abductor pulled up behind cop car

For an alleged kidnapping victim, freedom came when he and his would-be abductor happened upon a Salt Lake City police car.

About 12:35 a.m. Friday, the officers had just made a traffic stop on another vehicle near 400 South and 200 West when the victim drove up behind the police cruiser.

That is when driver jumped out from behind the wheel and ran up to the officers, stating he was being kidnapped by his male passenger. The officers quickly handcuffed the 34-year-old suspect, still in the car, before he could flee.

Subsequent investigation revealed that the victim had parked on the street nearby to make a cellphone call when the suspect suddenly opened the passenger side door and entered.

The suspect indicated he had a handgun in his pocket and ordered him to drive to an ATM at a 7-Eleven store. There, he followed the suspect inside to get an unspecified amount of cash, then escorted the victim back to his car and forced him once more to drive away, according to a probable cause statement.

Moments later, the victim spotted the police car, having stopped another vehicle, and sped up to a stop behind the cruiser to make his successful bid for freedom.

The suspect, who has an extensive criminal history with past charges involving drugs, forgery and providing false information to police, was booked into Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of robbery, kidnapping and other charges.

remims@sltrib.com

Twitter: @remims