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SALT LAKE CITY — An alert police officer helped rescue a woman who investigators say was kidnapped by a 17-year-old boy and forced to drive from Salt Lake City to Uintah County.
The bizarre story began about 6 p.m. Friday when a woman in her mid-50s drove to a relative's apartment near 1600 S. Foothill Drive. As she was getting out of her car, a 17-year-old boy approached her and asked for a ride.
"He indicates he wants a ride, then indicates he has a weapon and gets in the car and makes her drive him," said Salt Lake police detective Greg Wilking.
By 11 p.m., the woman's husband called to report her missing.
Wilking said detectives were still collecting information Monday about where exactly the teen forced the woman to drive during the approximately seven-hour incident and what his motive was. Police said the boy made her drive to a couple of fast food restaurants and buy him food.
He indicates he wants a ride, then indicates he has a weapon and gets in the car and makes her drive him.
–Salt Lake Police Detective Greg Wilking
By 1:45 a.m. Saturday, officers received information that the woman was safe. Wilking said at some point, the woman's vehicle was pulled over by a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer in Uintah County. Wilking did not know Monday what time the car was pulled over, why the officer pulled it over or what road they were on.
Wilking said the officer was able to sense that something wasn't right when he pulled her over.
"He picked up on clues that she seemed nervous, and separated them to get the full story and do a thorough investigation," he said.
Once the two were separated, the officer learned about the alleged kidnapping and arrested the 17-year-old.
Wilking said the boy "has some history" in the Uinta Basin area, but did not know Monday where the boy is from.
The teenager, whose name was not released, was arrested for investigation of carjacking, kidnapping and robbery. Police recovered a gun from him while making the arrest.
