An observant good Samaritan spotted a kidnapping in progress and helped rescue the victim in Hesperia on Friday, law enforcement officials said.
A woman who happened to be driving through the area called 911 shortly before 12:30 a.m. to report seeing an apparent kidnapping unfolding in a car that was un front of her in traffic, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
The caller reported that a man “was physically assaulting the passenger in his car,” according to sheriff’s department spokeswoman Gloria Orejel.
Handcuffs and fingerprint card
“The passenger, an adult female, was screaming for help and attempted to exit the vehicle several times, but [the driver] pulled her back in the car.”
The concerned witness didn’t give up.
“The caller followed the vehicle until Fernandez pulled over,” Orejel said. “The victim exited Fernandez’ vehicle, covered in blood, and got in the caller’s vehicle.”
It was later determined that the suspect was armed with a knife had had inflicted several cuts on the victim, officials said. The wounds appeared superficial, and the victim did not wish to be taken to a hospital.
Within minutes, deputies found the suspect sitting in a car in the 10800 block of Balsam Avenue Orejel said. His hands were covered in blood.
“He was uncooperative, did not comply with commands and resisted arrest,” she said.
Jacob Michael Fernandez, 23, of Hesperia was ultimately taken into custody, evaluated at a hospital and booked into jail, according to sheriff’s officials and county jail records. A knife was seized from his car as evidence.
He was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, attempted murder, making criminal threats and resisting or obstructing police, records show.
He was being held without bail pending legal proceedings.
Fernandez was “known to the victim,” Orejel said, but investigators declined to disclose their specific relationship.
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Anyone with information can reach the Hesperia Police Department at (760) 947-1500. Information may also be submitted anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Good Samaritan recues kidnapping, attempted murder victim in Hesperia