7th person arrested in bizarre kidnapping case

7th person arrested in bizarre kidnapping case

(Utah County Sheriff's Office)


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PAYSON — A seventh person was arrested in connection with a complicated kidnapping case that began Sunday near Orem, police say.

Payson police received a tip on Wednesday about the location of 20-year-old Rodolfo "Rudy" Licea, aka "Smiley," who police were looking for in connection with an aggravated kidnapping, according to Sgt. Spencer Cannon from the Utah County Sheriff's Office. When Payson officers went to the door of the home, Licea ran out the back door.

"Officers with Payson Police, Santaquin police, Utah County Sheriff's Office and Spanish Fork Police attempted to contain the area where the suspect ran, but he slipped away," Cannon said in a statement.

Cannon said Licea was spotted "a short time later" but he ran from police again.

At that point, police set up a perimeter and Spanish Fork Police conducted a K9 search in the area. Licea was located hiding in a boat, Cannon said, and was taken into custody without further incident.

Licea was booked into jail on charges associated with the kidnapping on Sunday, including aggravated kidnapping and robbery. Cannon said after Wednesday's incident, Licea was also booked on two counts of failure to stop at the command of police. In addition, Licea had five outstanding arrest warrants related to drugs, domestic violence, no insurance and driving on a suspended license.

Six people, including one juvenile, were arrested Monday in connection with the investigation.

Cannon said the investigation active and police expect more arrests to be made in the case, and more charges may be filed against those who have already been arrested.

Contributing: Pat Reavy

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