Car salesman kidnapped during test drive, uses iPhone to escape

HOUSTON, Texas (CNN) — What began as a seemingly innocent request for a test drive turned out to be a day of terror for a car salesman in Houston, Texas.

But because of his use of 911 and an iPhone, he has lived to tell the tale.

"It's crazy. It's crazy as hell. I didn't think it was real," said the salesman, Jose Martinez, speaking to CNN affiliate KTRK.

He said a man asked to take a test drive on Monday evening at the Gillman Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealership.

As the man drove with Martinez in a Dodge Charger, two other cars started tailing them.

He said they rammed into the car and took him out of it, throwing him in the trunk after a scuffle.

Martinez knew just what to do. He called 911 and activated "Find my iPhone," allowing his manager to locate him.

"I was in there for like five minutes and I thought, this is not going to happen. So I was already setting up my phone and I called the cops and let them know what car I was in, what description it was," he said.

Martinez said he popped the trunk when the car stopped and grabbed one of the kidnappers' guns, shooting him in the neck.

He said he did not get a good look at the kidnappers, and was only able to say that they were "tall black guys" and one was "6-foot-5 and skinny."

Shortly after, police gave chase but the suspects eventually eluded them on foot.

Houston police were still looking for the suspects Tuesday evening.

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