Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Sandra Yi reporting The search is on for three suspects after a teenager was kidnapped and driven for hours in the trunk of a car.
It all began this Wednesday morning in Northern Utah. The victim was stuffed into a trunk, and taken to Iron County.
Police have arrested one person, but three are still on the run.
The victim survived a four-hour ride in the trunk of a car, and several severe beatings. Investigators say it was all because of money and drugs.
A 17-year-old was taken for a dangerous ride from somewhere in Northern Utah, to Iron County.
Det. Sgt. Jody Edwards, Iron County Sheriff's Office: "Our victim was beaten and then bound by our suspects. He was then transported from that location, in the trunk of a known vehicle."
The suspects stopped here, at the Three Peaks Recreation Area, just north of Cedar City.
Det. Sgt. Jody Edwards: "The female held him at knifepoint while the three males proceeded to beat him."
The victim escaped. But his freedom was short-lived. The suspects chased him in their car, and caught up to him.
Det. Sgt. Jody Edwards: "They caught up to him again at that location. They proceeded to assault him again to a great degree."
The victim endured the beating, and managed to escape again. Barefoot, he ran a mile to a house. A woman inside, called for help.
Wednesday afternoon, authorities arrested one suspect. They're pleading for the others to turn themselves in.
Det. Sgt. Jody Edwards: "You know who you are. Please take the opportunity to do the right thing. Think about what's taken place so far."
Investigators know who the other three suspects are, but are not yet releasing their names or descriptions. They tell us there's a multi-state manhunt going on right now. The suspects face aggravated kidnapping and assault charges.
As for the victim, he's in good condition, at Cedar City hospital.