A quick-thinking kidnapping victim used a cell phone to text a friend, who relayed vital information to police to indicate which way she was going. In the end, the victim was rescued, and the suspected kidnapper was shot and killed by deputies near Guerneville.
According to Sonoma County Sheriff's Deputies, at 10:47 p.m. on Thursday, dispatchers received a call from the San Rafael Police Department tabout a kidnapping.
The details of the kidnapping were being texted from the victim to a friend at the same time that the friend was on the phone with San Rafael police who were relaying the information to the Sonoma County Dispatch Center. They put out a description of the car. A deputy on patrol tried to stop the car, but the suspect sped off. That set off an all-out pursuit.
The suspected kidnapper headed West on Guerneville Road. Deputies used spike strips - twice - to try and shred the tires to stop the car. It didn't work. At 11:22 p.m., the driver lost control and crashed into an embankment. Deputies were able to rescue the victim. In trying to make the arrest a deputy ended up shooting the suspect. He was killed.
The Sonoma Coutny District Attorney is investigating with assistance from Santa Rosa Police.
