Get off me. >> Open your door with their HANDS OUT THE WINDOW NOW. NOW. GET DOWN ON YOUR FACE NOW. >> Some disturbed minds believe they are smart enough to escape with their victims. But what happens when good cops step in within seconds, saving someone from a FAR WORSE FATE? TED, >> WHAT ARE YOU DOING? >> What are you doing? >> Tell me. What the is that? >> What the? [laughter] >> It's a little girl. What the is she doing? >> That's bracelet. It's not >> Is this? >> No. >> All right, WE MADE IT. [screaming] >> These were the moments when good cops rescued kidnapped people just in time. We begin with a case where a simple day of a woman transformed within minutes into anguish [music] as desperation grew during an attempt to escape a tragic fate. >> And he was pulling me inside and I was just like pushing myself away. >> I was just pushing and kicking away. [screaming] >> GET YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HEAD NOW. >> HANDS ON YOUR HEAD NOW. >> Now if he does ever come back, like he gets out and he comes back here and like I'm still here working, what do I do? On June 29th, 2025, officers in Florida were dispatched to a smoke shop after receiving a call reporting that an 18-year-old girl had nearly been kidnapped. Upon arrival, the officer immediately approached the [music] victim attempting to piece together what had happened that day. >> Hey, where are you? Who's the victim? >> Okay, so you work at the smoke shop? >> What happened? So, this guy, he came in earlier, probably like 2 hours ago, just used the bathroom. I didn't think anything of it. And he walked out and he just came back like 20 minutes ago, went into the bathroom again, and it came out and he was just looking around, came around the counter, and I was like, "So, you have to go back around." And then he started grabbing product and he started like pushing me like out of the way and everything. And then eventually he walked back around the counter and it started going towards the front door. I was there. He didn't pay for anything. And got in front of him and he was like, "What are you going to do about it?" And it started pushing me out of the store. And then um cuz he I was like trying to hold back from getting out of the store cuz he was still pulling product too and then he um pushed me all the way to the uh driver's side of the door for his truck and then tried driving me inside. >> Okay. So he tried to force me and he was pulling me inside and then I was just like pushing myself away and then he was just pushing and kicking away and he just finally let go. >> According to the victim, a man had entered the store twice under the pretense of using the restroom. The suspect behaved suspiciously, glancing around and pretending to examine merchandise before approaching her. From that point on, officers moved quickly, wasting no time in identifying the suspect. Fortunately, surveillance footage captured the events of that day, revealing the nightmare the young woman had endured. [screaming] Wow. Wow. [screaming] [ __ ] weak. >> After reviewing the footage, officers were able to locate both the vehicle and the suspect, approaching him in a manner that left no room for excuses. >> That's 104. The vehicle is not stopping. We're trying to get a 28 right now. description is uh silver grayish Toyota Tundra. If you could get the count Tacoma, if you get the county rolling this way, uh probably they're going to need to be coming from A1A 206 area. Just signal 14. The reason for the stop is reckless driving past us uh in a bike lane uh and and currently traveling 65 miles per hour. 6341 still 10 for direction of travel northbound passing ports. Current speed 90 mph. Looks like he is pulling over in Port Winds rental facility. GET OUT NOW. HANDS UP. GET OUT. GET OUT [screaming] NOW. DRIVER. HANDS UP. OUT. DEX NOW. >> PUT YOUR HANDS OUT THE WINDOW. >> OUT NOW. Open your DOOR WITH THEIR HANDS OUT THE WINDOW NOW. NOW. GET DOWN ON YOUR FACE NOW. >> IS THERE ANYBODY else in the car? >> HANDS ON YOUR HEAD NOW. ON YOUR HEAD NOW. HANDS ON your head. >> ON YOUR HEAD. >> ON YOUR [screaming] HEAD. ON YOUR HEAD. >> MAN, YOU GOT YOU GOT LETHAL. >> GET HERE. HANDS ON YOUR HEAD NOW. >> HANDS ON YOUR HEAD NOW. has been notified. >> Don't move. >> Don't move. >> Hands be on your back now. Nope. Nope. Nope. What are you doing, man? What the hell are you doing? >> You smoked, so you decided to run. >> That's a real dumb reason to run. >> Do you have any weapons on you? >> Roll over. >> Get on your knees. >> Hold on. Nope. We're going to do here. >> Yep. >> Anything in your pockets? Threw everything out the window, didn't you? Put them on that way. >> We need to smoke. >> I mean, I smell it. Yeah, like within the last >> ro on that side. >> You smoked recent little bit. >> How recent? >> I don't know. I don't know. >> 10 minutes. >> Couple minutes. Yeah. >> Couple minutes. Let me clear out that seat. Megan, >> you good? >> Yep. >> The suspect, later identified as 31-year-old Theodore, believed he could overpower officers and walk away without facing the consequences. Instead, he found himself firmly in police custody with no escape from the harsh reality ahead. But even as he was being arrested, Theodore continued to resist, adding fuel to a situation that was already burning. >> I would suggest you stop tensing up. >> Understood? >> Yeah, you know, screw him. Go back in. You're done. I'm just trying to get you back. I appreciate it. Get back in. We're taking them. >> Would you like me to push her or you want to get back in? No. I would like to get into a car cuz we'll take him cuz we have a bunch of other charges on them. >> Get back in. Look at how many cops you have seen around you. >> Yes, I know. >> Okay, so get back in or I will push you back in. >> Okay, >> get back in. >> Okay, I would like someone to come with me or two. >> I don't know what's wrong, but I'm not about to play that game. So, that car right now. >> You do not have a choice. You understand me? >> Okay, >> I gave you a choice. Look at how many people you got. No, >> listen. >> Stop doing that. Put your feet in the car and stay still. >> Today's not the day, my friend. You might want to just sit and chill. >> You reach for something again and I'll you up. Do you understand me? >> Do not do that. >> Okay, we're good. >> You might as well just transport him. >> Transport. We're not going to deal with taking. At the jail, officers were able to further investigate Theodore and uncover the disturbing reasons behind the attempted kidnapping, revealing the driving force behind his actions. >> Have you had any alcohol today? >> I don't think so. >> You don't think so? You told me earlier that you did? >> Uh oh, yeah, >> yeah, >> why you having trouble remembering? >> I I just I've always had trouble remembering kind of like, you know, I just forget the whole time. So I read this to you. Got to read it to you. You have the right to remain silent. >> With these rights in mind, do you wish to continue talking to us now? Okay. >> So you said earlier that you had when when you were in the truck on the way here, you said that you had alcohol. Do you remember what you had? >> Uh probably some kind of mixture wine mixture. >> Oh what they sell at the gas station? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Uh >> yeah, they come in little little balls or something like that, right? Or is that the other thing that I'm >> No, yeah, little balls. You you said you had today as well. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You have any other sort of >> No, you know, honestly, I haven't been getting a lot of sleep to produce any beat and I know I I told you I take I I take to the test, but I don't even know if I can be right now. >> Yeah. Okay. >> So, you just take a day? >> I did take a >> like a lot or how much you talking? >> Uh yeah, pretty large portion. Like and this [ __ ] I did to that girl that that was up, bro. You know, I I I I you know, she's all right. >> What girl? >> Probably. >> What? What' you do? The abduction. >> You want to talk about it? >> You want What happened? >> I don't know. I just literally I wanted to hang out. >> Oh, okay. >> But you know, she freaked out and I was like, I got mad. She took off. either the idea by you get to a certain point you just like oh my god right >> you know >> so back to >> you you smoke through >> yeah preferably yeah >> okay how many do you think you you smoked today >> uh maybe two >> two okay >> I don't even know when the last my sle was >> literally >> okay >> I don't even want to take this test anymore you don't want to take it anymore You don't want to take >> Okay. You don't want to take it. So, you're refusing to take the test. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, we'll just mark it down as refusal. >> All right. You hang tight here and let me let them know. Okay. >> With Theodore behind bars, the victim stepped forward to share her harrowing experience in an interview with local news, giving the public a glimpse into the terrifying ordeal she had endured. >> How are you doing at [music] this point in time? And um can you kind of tell us a little bit of your your processing, your thought process since this happened? >> Well, I'm still trying to recover from it. Obviously, it was pretty traumatic. [music] But um yeah, lately I've just been trying to focus on myself and get back to work. >> What actions did you take to try to get away from him? >> I just kept fighting back and screaming. >> Uh what was going through your head when he grabbed you and dragged you to his car? >> Just that I had to get away and I was terrified that he was going to hurt me. Throughout this experience, have you gone through any personal protection training before? And how did you know what to do in order to get away from him? >> I have not done any personal protection things yet, but um my parents had always taught me that whenever you're in any sort of danger, you always fight back. >> Are you still working at the smoke shop? >> No, I am not. He the [music] boss did let me and my sister go. >> Do you know why? Any reasoning? >> No, he has not contacted either of us. >> What's your reaction to that? Of how he treated you through this situation? pretty upsetting cuz he was my boss for a few months and you know everything was going good up until that incident and [music] he just completely stopped talking to either of us. Do you have any advice or words [music] for other women who might find themselves in similar situations just never be quiet. In the end, it was confirmed that Theodore was already on probation for prior offenses, including criminal mischief tied to an alcohol-fueled outburst that caused an estimated $38,000 in damage to his mother's home. Now, his list of charges has grown even longer as he also faces counts of grand theft of a motor vehicle, secondderee pettit theft, robbery, and kidnapping, false imprisonment of an adult. Moving on to the next, where a seemingly quiet neighborhood was shaken when a disturbed neighbor appeared outside a home holding a young child. >> What are you doing? MAKE IT THE HELP ME. HELP ME. THAT COME HERE. Come here. >> It's still >> Stop. Dangerous. >> Help me, sir. >> Hey, chill. >> CHILL. [screaming] HELP. HELP. CALM DOWN. On March 2nd, 2024, officers were dispatched to a home following reports of a man who had allegedly taken a young girl from her house and brought her to a neighbor's home. The family noticed the girl was missing and soon after heard screams outside. Surveillance footage from that night revealed just how disturbing the incident TRULY WAS. >> DAD, >> SHUT UP. Get off me. WHY DON'T >> take me BACK [screaming] >> take me back to your house. >> You better What the are you doing? >> SHE'S DUDE, TED, >> WHAT ARE YOU DOING? >> T, >> what are you doing? >> Help me, dude. >> What the is that? >> What the are you doing? >> It's a little girl. >> What are you doing? Man, GET THE BROKEN. HELP ME, DUDE. HELP ME. IS THAT COME HERE. COME HERE. NO. Come here, >> dude. >> Come here. Who are you? Who are you? >> OH MY GOD. >> You named the name. >> Go in the house. Go in the house. Go in the house. >> I swear to God. >> Hey, man. What the >> What's wrong? >> Go in the house. But I need to go back. >> Okay. Yes. Go in the house. I'm I'm I'm fine. You're fine here. I'm not going. >> No. Go. >> Get the out OF HERE. >> DUDE, LET ME tell me that it was she was he was still inside the class. >> What the is going on? >> Me and me outside. >> Huh? >> He woke me up and I >> Who is this? >> This is That's >> What the is you doing? That's bracelet. >> He's alive. >> Is this me? >> Listen. He He's sling his wrist. >> It's Joseph. >> It's Joseph. >> Come here. >> It's Joseph. >> STOP. GET DRESSED. >> MY NAME IS JOSEPH. >> GET DRESSED. >> And I DID NOT TOUCH. >> WE KNOW YOU DIDN'T. GO GET dressed now. >> Upon arriving at the scene, the officer encountered a shaken [music] neighborhood. frightened by what had just happened to the young girl. The suspect was still outside being held by the resident, James, without room for escape. >> It's only one of me, y'all. I get that, BUT IT'S ONLY ONE of me. They talk about it's a gun. I need to make sure that the scene is safe. >> I put it up. >> Okay. I don't know that. So, just chill. >> I get it. >> Okay. Let me do my job. >> I put it up. Shut the up. >> Shut up. Bro, >> he don't got no gun though. >> No, he has a gun. >> Cool. Go back inside. Let me chill. Let me figure out what's going on. >> 17. Anybody in route could slow down. Nobody has a gun right now. I have the mail right here on the porch. >> I apologize for that. >> Stand up. Stand up. >> 17. I copy. >> [ __ ] bro. >> All right. >> I'm Listen, I'm not the one. All right. Hey, I'm Jose already 176 Grand Avenue down 17 has bail on the floor. >> I'm Jose loosen your hands. >> I will help him do it. >> Who is he? >> That's my best friend. >> I help my best friend, bro. No. All right. Listen. >> You know >> that's my neighbor. >> That's your neighbor. >> That's my neighbor's brother. >> Okay. >> He did yard work for me and everything. Uh, >> for some reason he came to me with a little girl tonight. >> Help me, man. >> Where the little girl at? >> In the house. >> Y'all don't know her. Kayla, >> she been spend >> Just give me Give me a minute. >> Go ahead. >> Give me a minute. Give me a minute. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Chill out, bro. Chill out. Quit tensing up. >> All right, dude. >> You guys saw that, right? Uh, so what? Chill out. >> Okay, >> chill out. >> Why are you trying to Why you trying >> Why you keep tensing up? Chill out. >> The suspect, later identified as Joseph, stripped off his clothes in a chaotic outburst. Even while being arrested, he refused to calm down, quickly pushing the limits of the officer's patience. >> Homie, sir, >> chill. >> CHILL. >> STOP. STOP. STOP. >> Get the rat. Get the rat. >> 24. >> All right. All right. >> Clean your legs out. >> I got to start you guys district 1309 Grand Street for a domestic 10 between brother and sister. Sister has a knife female state. >> My name is Joseph. >> My name's Joseph. I don't care what's on that image. Help me. >> Help me, please. >> What? 39. >> MY NAME? WHAT'S MY NAME? >> What's my name? >> Joseph was clearly not in a sound state of mind. Continuing to escalate a situation that was already serious. With officers needing to step in, they were forced to make a tough decision in an effort to bring the chaos to an end. There you go. >> No. Help me please. Tell me please. >> Help me please. >> Quit moving. Help moving. HELP. HELP. HELP. [screaming] HELP ME. HELP. HELP. HELP. HELP! HELP! [screaming] >> HELP! HELP! >> Slow down, bud. >> They're putting a ramp on now. >> All right, WE MADE IT. [screaming] >> BACK OVER HERE ON KELLY. >> All right, roll over on help. >> All right. We may decide to help you back over there. Run the dog. HELP. HELP. >> You got me. Help. >> I got you. But you got to chill out. Help. Help. [screaming] Help! HELP! HELP! CALM DOWN. CALM DOWN, BUD. TAKE a big breath. You got it. >> All right. You're good. You're good. You're good. Look, can't hear yourself. >> You got it. >> You're safe, man. Look at that. Feel that? That's comfortable, right? >> No. >> It's not It's not too bad. >> All right, let's get in our car. >> I feel >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Yep, man. Take a deep breath. You're good. >> HELP. [screaming] STILL GOOD. >> HELP. >> YOU'RE STILL GOOD. >> HELP. HELP. [screaming] >> YOU'RE STILL GOOD. >> HELP. >> YOU GOT TO PUT HIM ON A SEAT. >> HELP. >> HE AIN'T ON THE SEAT. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Help. >> With Joseph finally restrained, officers made their way back to James' house, working to reconstruct the disturbing chain of events that had led to that moment. >> Yo, hold on. You You got a uh >> What information y'all need, though? Yo. Uh, this your name birthday. >> Why? >> Cuz you the one that found him up here. >> You the one that had him at gunpoint and he brought the little girl over here. >> Well, >> what little girl? >> That's in the house. >> And he brought me a little girl >> from where? >> From his That's his sister. >> Okay. So, [music] >> the little girl was spending night with her and her kids and he kidnapped the little girl and brought it to me for some reason. He knock banged on my door and when I came out she was screaming [music] >> and I snatched him snatched her from him >> and I don't I don't own a weapon but >> you ain't in trouble or nothing my man. >> So listen >> that's my daughter and my daughter's still sleeping. Gracine show who you are talking >> Yeah. >> Yeah. He He trouble. >> She's staying with my friends and my brother I guess picked her up. I heard I heard something and then I had the door closed and then I heard my brother yelling at saying. >> So that's your brother help. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Does he have issues? >> He has severe mental um Well, he has mental issues cuz he has brain damage. Um >> a lot of bad heavy stuff that fell on his head. neck and he did he doesn't know that he has this problem and I tried to get him help but nobody will listen to me nobody will do it you know help him out he wants help cuz sometimes when it must and he's doing something wrong he tries to help her cuz he wants help but no one will help him cuz they don't see the whole thing I guess I don't know but it's not my brother >> okay >> according to witnesses Joseph [music] was the brother of the woman who helped save the girl's life and was caring for her that night. She also confirmed what officers quickly noticed. Joseph [music] was struggling with serious mental health issues which ultimately drove him to commit such disturbing acts. When later interviewed, the little girl explained that she had fallen [music] asleep while watching a movie with her friend and later woke up to the sound of the man screaming. Her father was contacted shortly after and arrived at the scene to safely take her home. >> I also shared her voice. Um Jerry, explain kind of what happened >> kind of. >> Okay. Yeah. So, pretty much um >> what we gathered was he her brother had some >> staying over here had some type of >> health issues, >> mental health like break. Um >> took your daughter across the street to um what's his name? >> Ted. My dad. Uh, Devonte or Yeah, Devonte's >> his house. Um, >> wait, mama's death. Are you at my mom's house? >> He obviously like >> he younger than me. >> I don't know. >> Yeah, I think so. Um, yeah. Thank you. >> Okay. Well, me I'm going to take I'm going to switch you. >> Took your daughter from him. >> Uh cuz essentially like he's just like >> brought her over there, right? >> Not knowing what he's really doing. Um, so he >> for your daughter in the house, kept him out of the house essentially. >> I'll go give this back to him. >> That's essentially when we arrived, obviously got the scene under control and everything. And then he's now in the back of our our cruiser. Um, but as we know, there's no like physical harm daughter or anything like that. >> Uh, it seems like he literally just walked from here over there. We don't know why he's not saying anything. He's kind of just screaming in the back of the car. Um, >> this one happening again. >> Yeah. Well, he I mean, he's he's getting charged with abduction and >> Yeah, I understand. But so, >> right. So, yeah, that that's kind of where we're at right now. >> The father was deeply disturbed by the entire situation. Receiving a call from the police informing him that a man had taken his little daughter during a mental health crisis was undeniably unsettling. the kind of call that represents one of any parents worst nightmares while some officers stayed with the family. Another officer turned his attention to Joseph, questioning him about the events of that night. >> Do not know you. >> Okay. Hey, the reason I'm here is to talk about what happened between you and the officers tonight. Can you tell me about that? >> Yeah, help me. >> Okay. Um, we're going to get you some help. >> Help me. >> We We're going to do that. But can you tell me what happened between you and the officers tonight? >> I was helping a little girl cross the street. And then the officer showed up. >> Yes. >> And then what happened? >> I got tackled down on the floor and was like, >> "Okay, >> explain what you mean to me." >> There was a bunch of going on. >> Yep. >> Like officers all around me. I feel like my wrists are broken right now and I have a knife in my back and stuff. >> Okay. When you say gang, what do you mean? >> Can you hear me? >> Yes, I can hear you. You You told me that the officers tackled you to the ground. >> You're going to help me, right? >> Yes. We're going to get you help. Can you tell me more about that? >> Are you gonna get in the vehicle? >> I am not. I'm gonna stand here and talk to you for a minute. >> Can I talk to a different officer? >> No, you cannot. I mean, you will eventually, but for now, >> for now, you're talking to me. Can you tell me what you mean when you say that the officer >> My name is Joseph. >> I got that. Joseph, can you tell me what >> My name is Joseph. >> Yes, I got that. >> My name is Joseph. >> Joseph, are you able to tell me more about after the officers tackled you? >> I I felt like I was tackled. And >> when you say, what do you mean? Like there was like a bunch of going on there. I was I feel like I have a knife in my back and my f and I feel like >> Yeah. No, I'm following you. When you say do you mean LIKE THEY HANDCUFF YOU AND they put you in all this? Is that what you're talking about? >> Yes. >> Okay. You don't mean like someone assaulted you? >> To be clear, you mean that they put you in this this contraption? >> Somebody assaulted me. >> Well, when you say that [music] means assault me. So when you're saying that the officer, that's what I'm getting. So, I'm trying to clarify what you mean. >> I'm handcuffed right now. >> You're handcuffed and you're in pain >> and and you feel that the officers put you in this? That was not cool. [music] Right. >> Is that Is that about the size of it or am I missing something? >> Are you going to get in the car and drive? >> I'm No, but another officer is >> Can I see him right now, please? >> In in a minute. >> I want to see him now with you. >> I'm I'm I'm talking to you. We're having >> I want to see another officer with you. >> There there are LIKE SIX >> RIGHT THERE. HEY, >> COULD you please >> help? At this point, even inside the patrol car, Joseph continued to resist, his outbursts growing more intense. Unfortunately for the officer, the situation would just escalate. >> Okay, JOSEPH, >> HELP. HELP. [screaming] >> JOSEPH, YOU'VE GOT SOME INJURIES. >> HELP. >> HOW DID YOU SUSTAIN THESE INJURIES? NO, JOSEPH, you're not getting out. How did you How did YOUR TOE GET HURT? [screaming] >> JOSEPH, >> HELP. HELP. >> HOW DID YOUR TOE GET HURT? >> I was tackled onto the floor. >> That's how it got hurt. >> Yes, sir. All right. I also see a scrape on your knee. >> Yeah. Yes, sir. >> And a scrape on your shoulder. Is there anything else? >> My name's Joseph. >> Yes, I got that. >> My name is Joseph. Can you hear me? >> YES. >> HEY, [screaming] >> JOSEPH, do you have any other injuries I'm not seeing? >> No. >> Okay. All right. I I see like your toe, your knee, your shoulder. Anything else? >> Your elbow. Can I Can you turn so I can get a photo of your elbow? Would that be possible? >> Yeah. No, I can. Okay. Can you turn to your right? Your like your body. Never mind. I got it. I'm going to come around to the other side FOR A SECOND. OKAY. >> NO. NO. JOSEPH. [screaming] >> GOD. >> I didn't want to get his toe. >> Went to slam it and then he was scooting his feet too fast. All right. >> All right. Joseph, you're good. In the end, Joseph was taken into custody on charges of abduction, resisting arrest, and obstructing official business. Investigators also discovered that he had an active warrant for violating a protection order. Moving on to the next case, where what started as Young Love quickly became a terrifying ordeal. >> Get out the car. Get out the car. Get on the ground. Get on the ground. >> So, that's why the back of the car looks like that. >> Yeah. >> And she was in the car. That's my witness. >> Just don't want him to hurt me if I >> He's not going to hurt you because he's in the back of a patrol car. and me and this deputy Johnson are standing here. We will not allow him to hurt you. >> He was like, I'm going to beat the out of you and he's standing over me with his boot and I was scared and I didn't know what to do. >> On October 10th, 2025, officers were dispatched to a call reporting that a car crash had just happened. The caller explained that his car had been hit at high speed by another vehicle whose driver had sped off without offering any help. Shaken and frustrated, he described the moment of impact in detail, leaving officers to determine the sequence of events and track down the fleeing driver. Okay. So, the the door handle >> you tore the door handle off. >> He ripped it off or >> I did I I wasn't there and I just came out here and saw it torn off, but it was in good shape before. >> Okay. >> But that is done. That is done. That is done. And this is done over here. Plus the front end smashed into that. >> Okay. And that's as far as you know. That's it. >> As far as I know that. >> At the same time, another call came in. The car involved might not be far away. Soon, a [music] crashed vehicle sped past, catching the attention of a nearby patrol car. In that instant, [music] what seemed like another accident would turn out to save someone's life. >> Yeah, with them at the entrance. Hey Get out the car. Get out the car. Get on the ground. Get on the ground. Get on the ground. Lay down. I'm not playing with you. Not playing these games, man. I don't care. >> Okay. I'm sorry, sir. >> That was tonight. P. The officer was speaking calmly with the driver, but what at first looked like a juvenile error was starting to reveal a more serious story. Inside the car, a young girl, Maria, quietly wept. Amid her boyfriend's words, the officer sensed that Maria could be in trouble. >> Come back here. >> She also has a part, too. >> All right. So, I mean, just >> All right. So, I'm just going to straight up. I'm going to be honest with you. Cool. >> I'm I'm going to be the honest person I've ever been since ever. >> Are you and her fighting? >> No, we're not fighting. >> What's her name? >> Maria. >> Maria. You want to step back here? >> Come here, babe. She's crying because what we did, we got in the car, right? We went to leave. I don't >> Are you okay with stepping back here? >> Okay, come back here. >> So, this is what happened. So, me and her got in the car. We were taking my dog to the pound. >> Okay. >> All right. My dog is Charlie. Put him in the car. We're going to the pound. >> All right. Mom gets in her car. She stomps off. All right. I try to catch mom and I go I cut. >> Why Why is mom stomping off? >> Cuz for some reason she's mad at us cuz we got into an argument and we were >> You and her got into an argument. >> You can even ask her. We got into an argument. We were fighting. >> Why do you have blood on your face? >> My hand >> from like consoling her when you wrecked. >> I don't know. >> Were we wrecked? Yeah. >> It was up there. I went all the way forward in my hand. That [ __ ] >> y'all had a wreck up there. >> Yeah. So I cut in front of her, right? Mom. So try to stop her, get out, talk to her, and she I I literally press on my brakes and stop. She keeps going and runs right in front of me. Right to me. >> So that's why the back of the car looks like that. >> Yeah. >> And she was in the car. That's my witness. >> 5:32. >> Don't talk to me. >> We'll talk to you in just a second. >> Yes, he'll talk. He'll talk to you. >> Can you come down here when you get a minute? >> No, it's okay. Here, come here. Calm down. >> Listen, we'll talk to you in just a second. Okay. >> Calm down. >> It's okay. Calm down. >> So, all this is over a dog >> basically. >> A and us arguing. >> Well, I'll talk to you in just a minute. Fair enough. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Hey, calm down. The officers started asking what was really going on, trying to understand the situation fully and determine how to help. Every detail now mattered, and the tension grew as the pieces of the puzzle slowly came together. Gradually, the girl began to calm down. As she found her voice and started telling the truth, crucial details emerged, revealing allegations against her boyfriend. >> Where are y'all coming now? >> We're just going back. We're going back >> to do what? >> To talk to mom. >> Yeah. Where'd y'all go? >> We went up the road and that way and sat at that little river thing. >> Yeah. >> And we sat there. We me and her talked and everything and then we were deciding to come back home. So we come back home and then we see cops. >> Well yeah cuz mom called us. >> Yep. Mom did call y'all for sure. >> Yeah. I mean I ain't going to lie to you. >> I don't I don't even want to be around at this point. >> Okay. So why how old are you? >> I'm >> so why you living here? I mean I guess Are you in school still? >> No. >> You dropped out? Yeah. >> You can't. >> She She told me I can't leave. Like I'm like mom I'm I can leave. You can't leave because you have charges on you and you can't leave without those charges on you. You can't leave. >> No, but those are pending. Those aren't >> But they're felony. >> You arrested me last time, didn't you? >> I didn't arrest you, but I mean I came out here. >> Well, you came out. >> Yeah. Yeah, that was took me to the um >> Yeah. Yeah. The city. >> Those are those that are the charge and I have to go to court in April, which >> I thought you had stuff out of Bib County, too. >> That I don't have court till like two two more years. >> Charges in Bib County. >> Yeah. I don't know when that is. I was like, >> I thought you just had that. That's why I admit. >> Yeah, I did. I just got out of jail for that one. >> At a critical moment, it became clear to the officers that Maria was holding something back. Maria's nervousness, combined with everything her ex-boyfriend had said, raised serious concerns. She could barely finish a sentence without breaking down in tears. Tell me what happened cuz I I feel like your body language is telling me a different story than what he's telling me. Okay. >> So, what what what's going on? >> I'm so scared of your >> I understand. I believe >> I just don't want him to hurt me if I lie. >> He's not going to hurt you because he's in the back of a patrol car and me and this deputy Johnson are standing here. We will not allow him to hurt you. >> He's about to go [laughter] to jail. >> Yeah. >> He's about to go to jail. >> I mean, look at the damage to your That's your vehicle, right? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I mean, we get called out here for >> run accident. >> He's going to like open the door or something. >> He can't even open the door from the inside. Would you like to step to the rear of my vehicle? I have body cam on. You're a female. I if you rather step back here to the back, that's fine. >> Okay, so this is my boyfriend. >> I understand. >> Um, we have like really bad like >> I know I've dealt with y'all. Remember I was at the office? Yeah. >> I pressed charges on him. He paid for my car >> and I came down here one day. I stayed here for the first night and then his mom let me stay because she was she felt like I was going to I don't know do something stupid. >> Yeah. >> I don't know what mom told you. Literally, I just don't want to be here at this house cuz she's abused. Hey, >> today his mom was like, "We're going to fill the laundry mat." >> You and her. >> She said, "I need your help, honey." And I was like, "Okay." He was fine with it. He's like, "You can go." I was like with my mom. >> Why is there clothes everywhere? >> And so I I was like, "Okay." So then I went to get in the car and he's like, "Wait, you're not going?" And I said, "You just said I can go. What are you talking about?" >> Yeah. >> And he was like trying to bring out the car. And >> out of which car? >> Out of his mom's car. >> Okay. So we ran in and she slammed the door closed and she locked both doors and he's beating on their dog. Get the out of the car. He was like, "I'm going to beat the out of you." And he's standing over me with his goo and I was scared and I didn't know what to do. >> Okay. >> So >> where where did where did this car come into play? >> It's about to come into place. And then and then he works away. He goes to mom's car. He said, "I'm going to beat the out of her. I'm going to I'm going to He gets in front of the car and it's like beating your windshield." I said, "Mom, keep driving. He's in the way. Keep driving. And I didn't want him to up, but I just said, "Keep driving. He'll move." >> Yeah, you're trying to get away from him. We understand that. >> And he eventually moved and we drove off and then he gets in my car up there and chases us, blocks the road so we can't leave. And he goes in front of us and now we're like back to back with him. Mom stopped. And then I said, and he's still in the car. I said, "Mom, get around him. Get around him and go." and she tries to go around him and he's he swerves the car and slides in front of us again and we we almost crashed into him. So mom just reversed and starts driving backwards all the way back to the house so that she could turn around in here and turn that way. >> Okay. >> And he reversed too and then he drove in front of us in front of the car and now we're going this way and he's in front of us and then mom's going and then he slams his brakes in front of the car and my face the dashboard and mom's face the dashboard [laughter] and the car was just crashed. At this point, Maria described what happened before the crash, how her ex-boyfriend stopped her, forced her out of her car, and took control. Psychological pressure shaped her words and actions, and [music] fear was visible in her eyes. >> He smashes my windshield, rips the glass out, goes in, and he's moving like this. He's cutting up his wrist trying to open up the door. >> Yeah. >> And then he opens the door, pulls me out. >> The passenger window. >> My side. >> Or the windshield? >> My side. >> Yeah. Yeah. The passenger side window. >> Opens the door, grabs me. Mom's screaming, saying, "Put her down." and grabs me and he throws me on the ground and he steps on me with his boot. He said, "You're going to come in the car with me." He puts me in the car and he closes the door [laughter] and I know, don't run. Don't get out and run. He'll run me over or something crazy. So, I just sit in the car and I'm just hoping that the cops are gone and you guys would find us. I saw you turn around, your lights go on and that [snorts] that was it. And then he said he was going to come back to the house and he said, "You [clears throat] better lie." He said, "You better lie and and tell them none of this happened." >> The officer spoke calmly with Maria, explaining what might happen next. Maria remained visibly agitated, her anxiety evident in every word and movement. >> Listen to me. Him, he's done this longer than me and he can probably tell you. We know these kind of people, they get worse and worse and worse every single time. >> I don't want us to come out here one day and you be laid over somewhere with Listen to me. I don't want you to be strangled or gunned or something like that. Now you're you're old enough you can make your own decision. >> But here's my thing. You keep bringing yourself back out here. It doesn't make it right. You are not you should not have that kind of treatment done to you. But you keep bringing yourself out here knowing >> what he turns into. You know what I mean? >> Yeah. It was my fault. I know. I >> Well, hold on on the fault thing. Like should you have come back? No. But it's what happened today is not none of this is >> I know. But I I know so much better. In the end, the suspect, Ethan, was arrested on three counts of first-degree criminal damage to property, as well as charges of kidnapping, false imprisonment, and simple battery involving family violence. In the next case, a relationship took a dark turn when love transformed into a sudden kidnapping. >> Get away from the door. Back the up. >> Yes, sir. I got one. GET YOUR HANDS UP. Put your hands up OUT THE DOOR RIGHT NOW ON THE GROUND. >> I got you. Okay. I got you. I wasn't going to let them do something to you. I wasn't going to let them hurt you. >> Please no. Please no. I STARTED BEGGING. I WAS LIKE, "Please don't do that. Please don't. I don't." And I'm like, "Please don't. Please." >> On September 15th, 2025, officers in Miami received a disturbing call. Someone was reportedly being held captive inside a house. What appeared to be an ordinary family home soon revealed a far darker side. >> Sir, get away from the door. Back the up. >> Yes, sir. I got one. Sir, get on the ground right now, please. >> I don't care who ran in the house. Who ran in the house? >> My son. I'm going to get him out. I'm going to get him out for you. Let me get him out. >> Anybody else in the house? >> My wife. My daughter. I get to leave. >> Hey, Jette. My wife. Get out the house. >> GET OUT THE HOUSE, PLEASE. NOW. GET OUT THE HOUSE NOW. I'M BRINGING A DOG. GET OUT THE HOUSE. >> GET OUT THE HOUSE NOW. >> COME ON. IT'S IN THE DOG. >> COME ON. SEND A DOG. GET OUT. >> COME ON. Get out. >> GET OUT. [ __ ] OUT. >> ALL RIGHT. GET OUT. >> PUT YOUR HANDS UP. PUT YOUR HANDS UP. OUT THE DOOR RIGHT NOW. ON THE [ __ ] GROUND. ON THEINGING GROUND. On theinging ground. On theinging ground. >> Put your hands behind your back. >> At this point, the first suspect, 39-year-old Joe McKenzie, was identified. However, what initially appeared to involve only one individual quickly proved far more complex. As the investigation unfolded, additional names came into focus. Even before crossing the threshold, officers knew one thing. That house [music] had a history, and none of it was good. At that moment, another suspect emerged. 35-year-old Brandon Spivey. [music] A quick check of online records confirmed what many feared. He was no stranger to law enforcement. Give me the back. What I did Yeah, I like that. I got a female victim in the in the car. Somebody said that y'all pull me. >> I got it. >> Relax. I guess anybody? >> No. >> Search the house just in case. >> I don't care. He ran your house and run from us. I don't want to hear it. Please don't want to hear it. >> He just ran out. You're right. >> Put him on. >> There's another one. A big a big fat black guy. He's in the car. He's on the back side of that white house. Put them on. >> 110. One in custo. I got one incident. A fat a fat black male is behind the white house with a beard and I got a female victim in the U-Haul. >> In that situation, officers realized something didn't add up. The woman might not have been in the house at all. Every unanswered question, every delay only deepened their concern, forcing them to consider a far more troubling possibility. After speaking with the woman, everything shifted. The man officers were searching for was not just a suspect. He was her ex-husband, the father of her child, and someone deeply tied to her past. >> I'm going to get you out of here. I'm going to get you out of here. >> Hold on. Hold on. Hold on. >> I got you. Okay. I got you. I wasn't going to let them do something to you. I wasn't going to let them hurt you. Okay. We're pregnant. We're kidnapped. >> That's my baby daddy. We were just getting kicked out to get right now because we we got kicked out. What the >> Were you kidnapped? >> No, that's sitting right there right now. >> Yeah. She's saying that's maybe a little more might be a little more way to jump out. I saw that the door was open. >> Meanwhile, the initial suspect behind the wheel had committed several offenses during the pursuit. from speeding to running red lights and driving against oncoming traffic. This was not his first kidnapping. There was no longer any room for Joe, the initial suspect, to lie. His criminal record had already been revealed to officers. With no way out and nowhere left to run, his arrest was inevitable. >> Kick your knees up. >> Mother right now. >> You can advise how many lives right now? >> None. Oh, I'm in custody. >> Subjects are accounted for and the 53 victim. >> Yeah, you know, I don't know. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You know, >> I just came out. >> That's a lie. I want to hear I watched you walk out front of this car. >> I know that. I'm saying, but I just look I understand that. But what what happened? Sorry. You're being charged with fleeing looting right now. But >> you're being charged with fleeing looted. Why you running? Cuz I was scared. Look at the gas station right there. [ __ ] just wanted to say about >> Yeah, but dog you had no reason to run, bro. You should have stayed right there. >> Yeah, but I get behind you terrified, bro. You would have stopped, bro. >> I throw that throw you at the lock on me. I ain't know. >> Don't matter, bro. You would have stopped. You now look at you. You hit with felonies. You feel me? Over some dumb [ __ ] I feel >> Come on, dog. You really think you boys weren't going to let up? You should have known they weren't going to let her. >> On the other side, Brandon focused on the father of the woman's child. When asked to explain himself, he could offer no plausible motive, only vague answers that deepened the suspicion. >> Wait, what? You got your ID with you? >> No, man. I I love a wallet, man. >> My name Brandon Spy, bro. >> Brandon Spivey? >> Yeah. I ain't the driver, bro. I mind >> bringing him over here. Yo, >> in custody and victim recover inside the van. >> Well, let's see right here, man. >> Can't use no bathroom now, man. >> 2324. like a >> I'm not going to go nowhere, bro. I'm already >> Come on, baby. >> I go. >> No, I ain't put the bathroom. Come on, man. Come >> on, man. >> You going to take him over there? >> All right. This is stuff. I got I got take stuff. >> All right. What the hell I'm going to jail for? Yo, I don't even know what's going on. So, I don't even ask me. I don't even know what's going on before they go to that damn hall, bro. I got a dang a lot of stuff in my bag and I'm homeless, bro. Come on. >> I got to piss like piss on my Come on. Just don't piss in my car. On the other hand, Joe, the initial suspect, began to reveal his true character, showing no sign of remorse or fear of the consequences. His only concern was [music] his payment. With every word the officer spoke, Joe pushed back, his voice growing increasingly tense and agitated. >> Nice cut on my wrist. >> All right, we're going to take it out now. You need to wait and you need to chill out. Okay, >> good. Just I'll take care. I'll let him run. >> Give me one second. >> Last time. Same crap. I mean, it's like it's like a non-ending battle here, man. It's a non-ending battle, which you are right now. I'll talk to the primary, but the other dude for sure. >> I'm not doing nothing. Like, was I in that car? >> Was I in the car? >> So, how how am I doing something to you if I'm not even in that car? You're blaming You're blaming me for something that I didn't even do. I'm not inside that car. It was you. I'm sorry. >> I don't know what your charges are. We're going to figure this out. >> It's all up to you what you want to talk to me about when we talk. It's up to you. You >> straight up. You can see me smirking in there. And what happened? >> That's when you talk to people without trying to charge something. >> Okay, but guess what? You weren't a stolen guard last time. >> Yeah, but that was my fault. >> Nobody ever does nothing. I've noticed that. >> With the suspects separated, officers had a clearer opportunity to speak with the victim. She began to explain what had truly happened, revealing her connection to Brandon. They had been at his father's house when everything started. According to her account, Brandon exploited his father's vulnerability to lure her in. >> What happened? Okay. So, me and Brandon, we're at his dad's house. His dad, he's dis he's disabled. So, he kicked him out this morning because they were getting they got into an argument. So, this is all his stuff. My stuff is in the alleyway truck cuz that's where he used to work with my scooter. So, I we he picked us up and I asked him, I said, "Please take it to the hack." Because when the hack I can go to Camil's house, I'm pregnant. So, I told him I said it makes sense for us to just go into the shelter instead of being outside cuz I'm pregnant. He goes, "Okay, no problem." cuz he had drove by and see me falling asleep on the sidewalk. >> So, I hopped in the car and we went to Chevro. We picked him up >> cuz he went to go get me. I have a bag and I'm just showing you. He went to go get me a crunch because I always wake up with sweets in the morning and I thought I was soda. This is I'm sorry pulling me out and I fell asleep and this I was using as a pillow. Fell asleep. Um, I woke up to somebody hitting the back of the uh the >> So, you tell me you slept through this whole thing. >> No, no, no, no, no, no. I I'm telling you at the beginning. I'm saying from the beginning. I'm sorry. So, I fell asleep. I woke up to somebody hitting um the back of the bed and I was like, "What the [ __ ] is that?" And he [clears throat] goes, "Oh, just Joe said the just my truck with a machete." >> The situation took a far more serious turn when officers learned the woman was pregnant. A detail that changed everything. The woman continued explaining that along the way others had also been injured at a gas station. She was visibly distressed, unable to understand why Brandon was doing this to her. >> Who was the person? >> He's a very good guy. He's not he's he's a hard worker. He's not a hard person, but I guess something happened. I don't know exactly what the issue is, but supposedly they had an altercation. Okay. So, I said, "Okay." I said, "Listen, I'm going to go ahead. I'm going to take a nap. I'm going back to sleep. Just please wake me up." I told my baby dad, uh, Brandon. I said, "Listen, when we get to um the hat wake me up, I'm going to take a nap." And I said, "Joe, please drive soft because I'm pregnant and I'm back here." He said, "Okay, no problem." So, we leave. I go I take a nap. >> I hear what man that I'm taking off. And I'm like, "Please no. PLEASE NO." I STARTED BACKING OUT. I WAS LIKE, "Please don't do that. Please don't. I don't." And I'm like, "Please don't. Please don't. I'm holding on for dear life because this morons want to pull the over. I can't just roll out of a. So I'm like, "Please stop." He goes, "Bro, my dingo baby," because he talks to these very country. He goes, "My dingle baby's pregnant. BRO, STOP DRIVING LIKE THAT." And he's like, "Sis, sis, just hold up. Just hold on. I I don't know what the why he did that. I don't know if he has any legal issues. I don't know what the issue is, but he would noting stop." As Brandon attempted to flee, his actions escalated the pursuit, leaving a pregnant woman trapped in a moment defined by fear, stress, and uncertainty. So Joe is is your your man? >> No. Brandon is >> Brandon was Brandon driving. No, it was Joe. >> Was Joe driving? >> The big black dude? >> It was Joe driving. [cough and clears throat] >> Were you forcing the van? >> No. No. No, I wasn't. I asked him. He's like, "Are you okay, sis? You okay?" He's like, "I don't like to see you out there like this." I said, "No, I'm not okay." >> Dropped his phone in the back of a van and they pursued all over Broward. And then he bailed out here. We have him in in uh >> him. >> Yeah, just him and her. >> Shouldn't have uh did whatever. Whatever. They're just arguing back and forth. >> Can Can rescue look at her real quick? >> Do you have your ID with your name? >> Did the officer get it? >> That's okay. Don't worry. They'll just get your name. Don't worry. They're going to They're going to check you out. Okay. >> You didn't give me a reason why you >> I don't understand why you're here. >> So, if my question to you is if Brandon, you know, had no intention, why did Brandon run from us? >> Not Brandon. Joe. >> But why did Joe when we stopped this car? Brandon was Grant. No, he he got out the car to come open the door for me because you're right there. He came and check cuz he went that way. >> No, they told him get on the ground. Get on the ground. >> Yeah, this gentleman right away. According to this art, he was running away from the car. >> Do they have a camera? >> Next, both suspects were transported to the police station where a growing list of crimes was carefully examined. >> Up there with the cop. >> I'm just here to transport you to the station, brother. That's all my job is. >> Same guy. >> I don't know. >> All right. Here's what's going to happen. I have to put the cuffs in the back. Okay. Can't be put in the front. >> The only time the cuffs are put in the front is if you're a female and you're pregnant. >> Okay. >> And I know you need one. >> All right. We going to switch the cuffs out from the back. Come on. too hard. >> I know you ain't going to try nothing. So, I ain't, you know, I'm just to forewarn you. Don't don't do nothing that you don't want to get. >> No. Hell no. >> All right. You know, >> 13 to 37, please. >> Police said both suspects reported no injuries connected to the incident. Next, we join officers as they arrive at the police station. So apparently a 53 but on the same >> she's making allegations [clears throat] that once they started to run, you know, they would all refuse to stop and they refused to let her out, you know. So [snorts] that's the statement she's making. Police briefly hold the two suspects at the police station before transporting them to jail. Well, see now, like I said, man, you probably still would have went to jail anyway cuz your license is all messed up. But yeah, you would have probably went to jail either way. I know you ain't got no license, but it's all messed up. >> Yeah, whatever. >> You got uh revocations for fleeing and looting. Um yeah, you got a whole bunch of your license. So you you probably would have went to jail regardless if you stopped. But >> you had to go in and catch all these other charges. >> What other charges? >> Well, because she's got injuries. >> Who got injuries? >> You his girlfriend. >> As officers reviewed the charges, new information began to emerge, raising fresh questions and setting the stage for what came next. >> We got a charges. >> Because she's a victim. You know, they might have set aside. >> She's a victim. She was with us. Yeah, she complained of injuries. She explained that she y'all didn't let him out and that's that's where it comes with. I get what you're saying. I understand what you're saying, but I got to go by what she says. She's considered a victim. >> Cut the cameras. Add that drug. >> We're not charging with kidnapping. We're just charging you with not allowing her to get out of the car while you were fleeing. >> Once at the jail, Brandon and Joe share another alleged detail while waiting to get inside. >> I want to let her out. She cut her up. Get that crackpipe. cut you up. I don't like that. >> I don't like that [ __ ] either. >> That's some girlfriend not pregnant. >> Why is everybody coming down? The last one said she was pregnant too. Come to find out she wasn't pregnant either. >> Oh, look. Where the baby go? >> White girl baby girl. >> That's crazy. >> White white girl said she too. >> The one you were smashing before we rolled up. >> Yeah. You know I see her like two weeks ago. I said why you sitting there like that? She like why you like that? >> In the end both suspects faced serious charges. Joe was charged with felony false imprisonment, fleeing and eluding, and resisting arrest without violence. Brandon was charged with felony false imprisonment, resisting arrest without violence, [music] and criminal mischief. But this case was only the beginning. In another investigation, a child's innocence allowed danger to go unnoticed until it was almost too late. >> ROLL ALL YOUR WINDOWS DOWN, JEFF. I CAN'T see you. >> Okay, I'm I'm out of here. >> Roll your windows down now. Roll it down. How old are you? You're 14. Okay. What are you doing with these guys? Go ahead and sit there. You sit there. >> Yeah. Why were you going to California with them? >> On June 17th, 20124, an Indian father reported to police that his 14-year-old daughter was missing after leaving in a black sports vehicle. When officers pinged the girl's phone, it led them to a road in Missouri. There, officers spotted a car matching the description. Inside, the girl could have been the missing teenager, but she was surrounded by five men who appeared significantly older than her. A detail that immediately raised serious concern. Driver, put your HANDS OUT THE WINDOW. OH, JEFF. OH, JEFF. JEFF. Holy smokes. What in the world? Roll the windows down now. ALL THE WINDOWS DOWN NOW. ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN. ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN. ROLL ALL YOUR WINDOWS DOWN NOW. [screaming] PUT YOUR HANDS UP. >> JEFF, I can't see you, JEFF. ROLL ALL YOUR WINDOWS DOWN, JEFF. I CAN'T SEE YOU. >> OKAY, I'm I'm out of here. >> Roll your weapon down now. Roll them down. ROLL THEM DOWN NOW. ROLL THEM DOWN. ROLL THEM DOWN. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. HANDS UP. EVERYBODY HANDS UP. Everybody hands up. >> Who's in the back? >> Okay. All right. Everybody keep their hands up. Hear me? >> Yeah. What happened? >> Uh, okay. Well, I'm Trooper SAP. We're doing investigative sap. Okay. Anybody got ID? >> Are you How old are you? You're 14. Okay. All right. Don't anybody move. Jeff, do you got them? >> Okay. Start opening the door. You got ID. Give me ID. >> ID. >> ID. >> No. No. Put your hands. >> Yeah. Put your hands up. Hands. Thank you. What about you, sir? Your driver. Okay. You have a driver's license. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Thank you. Okay. One, two, three, four. I need one more ID. You got ID? >> I got it. >> You got it. Okay. All right. I'mma I'm going to pull her out. Okay. You're going to need to come out and open that seat up. >> Nope. >> No. No. No. No. No. Nope. Step out, miss. T12 making. We've got her. >> The officers understood that the situation could be even more serious. [music] In addition, fearing that the suspects might flee, more drastic measures were necessary. >> Hey, Jeff. I don't I think we need to start putting handcuffs on people right now, and I've only got one on me. I think we need to start handcuffing everybody. >> And I don't know where John went. Step out. Put your hands behind your back. Put your hands behind your back. Step out. Put your hands behind your back. See? See? Run around. Turn around. Turn around. Why don't you come over here? Come here. Sit. Sit down. All right. You come with me. Honey, what are you doing with these guys? Go ahead and sit there. You sit there. I need cuffs. Do you have a couple sets of cuffs? >> We're in the process of securing them. Okay. Hop out for it. Called out. >> Okay. You over here. >> Kneel down right here beside him. Just kn just kneel down. >> So you speak English. >> Ah. So >> Okay. >> Like >> Oh god, I didn't know you had one more. >> I'm going to go back and talk see what's going on. >> At that point, the female officer began speaking with the girl, trying to understand what had really happened. However, the child's innocence, believing she was simply traveling or going out with these men, could end up costing her far more than she realized. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, we got a call about you. Obviously, uh you're 14. You look 14. Why are you with these guys? >> Nothing. We're just going to California. >> California? You're without your parents' knowledge. None of these are your parents, right? >> No. >> Okay. That's why we got called. Oh. Okay. >> All right. And in case I didn't tell you, I am Trooper Sap Honduras. How did you meet these guys? H >> how did you meet these guys? >> Um they are my friends. >> They are way older than you. So you understand why your parents called you. You're not in trouble with your parents. You're not under arrest or anything. >> But how far could the danger of believing they were her friends really go? The girl knew her parents were trying to contact her. As the investigation continued, officers discovered that the men were not from the country. The girl's innocence was clearly visible, but the intentions of those men were far from good. >> I'm going to guess in at some point your parents are going to want to talk to you. Do you have your you have your phone with you? >> Have they been trying to call you? >> Yeah. >> You want to call them while we're sitting here and I'll talk to them? >> They don't speak English. >> They don't speak English? >> No. >> Where are they from? >> Guatemala. >> They're from Guatemala. So the situation is is your your parents have called I guess they saw you had left with these guys. So did they hurt you at all? >> No, they being good to me. >> Yeah. Why were you going to California with them? >> To save him. >> Your family or their family? >> No, my family. >> Your family? But your parents? Their Their parents? Do they know any of these gentlemen? >> No, but I told them that I wanted to go to see family. Do you realize you're for you're 14, you're still a kid? >> Yeah. >> And if you were my kid, I would be mad, crazy, upset, worried about you. And I'm sure they are, too. Don't you think? Cuz they called. >> Yeah. >> That's how that's why we um are doing this. And I'm glad you're okay cuz I was worried that we would stop these guys and you would not be with them, but your phone would. I was really worried about you. Do you want to call your parents real quick? I mean, you can talk to them and um I can use my app if I need to talk to them. I can try. >> But I think my dad is working. >> No, your dad is I I doubt it. So, give give him a call, please. >> He's not answering. >> No. [laughter] >> Where does he What? It's It's 2:30 in the morning. Is he at work at 2:30 in the morning? >> Yeah. >> Where's your mom? >> I think she's sleeping. >> Okay. I'm going to step out to the back of my car and talk to an another officer. Okay, just stay right in here. >> The officer's words were calm, but the warning behind them was unmistakable. In that moment, the girl began to understand that being with those men placed her in far more danger than she ever expected. >> I'm probably going to need some help. I'm probably going to need a lot a lot of help. There's five Hispanic. She's with them. I got her. She's safe. She says they have not harmed her, but she left with them. They're I mean, the youngest, she's 14. Youngest is 19. and they go up to, you know, 50 some odd year old, 54 year old. So, there's five of them and one little bitty girl. I'm guessing it's some sort of trafficking thing. They said they were going to California and they don't speak English. One of them kind of speaks English. There's four of only one's legal and four of them are they're all illegal. >> At that moment, the officers began to suspect that they might be undocumented immigrants, adding yet another layer of concern. Yet, this was only the tip of the iceberg compared to what they were truly [music] facing. >> So, who is she saying? >> She's going to California, family with five strangers. She just met 14. She looks 10. >> Oh, yeah. I've seen her. >> According to their documents, they've all got identification. Um, four out of the five is definitely 100% illegal. The other one, the one driving at least has a valid driver's license. The biggest thing I need to do now is >> call ICE. Unless you want your vehicle towed. >> Huh? >> We can lock up your vehicle and leave it here. Is that your vehicle? >> Yes, mine. >> Yours? Okay. >> Do you want to tow? Oh, you guys are all going to jail. >> Everybody. >> Why? >> Well, we'll talk about that. Okay. Either you talk to me or you don't talk to me, but you're still going to go to jail. You got a 14-year-old girl with you. >> Yeah. the the family told me. >> Well, that's not why we're here. >> The destination was clear to the five men. For the girl, the destination meant protection and waiting. >> We are going to go into town, which is just like right here, and I'm going to take you into the sheriff's department, and there's a juvenile officer lady, nice ladies, that's going to come talk to you and figure out what to do and contact be in contact hopefully with your mom where you can be reunited with your mom. You can't run away. at 14. Not until you're 18. >> Okay. >> Then you can do what you want. Okay. 14. 14. Not so much. You can't be with five men that aren't that you're not supposed to. >> Okay. >> I talked to the officer that took a report from your parents who said that you told your parents you weren't coming out. Is that right? >> Yeah. >> Back with the five suspects. The interpreter began speaking with the first man, gathering information about what the girl had done with them. >> Okay. You're going to be speaking to Carlos that's here with me. >> Why was with you? We're going to work. Sorry. No. Your brother? Her brother? >> Yes. >> Is one of those gentlemen her brother? >> No. >> Who is her brother? >> Do you have children? >> Does that little girl look close to your daughter's age? No. >> How old do you think she looks? >> 19 or 17. The people you small guy. >> Do you understand you're being arrested for kidnapping? In the end, the five men were taken into custody, facing charges of kidnapping and endangering the welfare [music] of a child. What started as a simple report soon evolved into a multi-layered investigation as officers separated facts from fiction. Two very different stories began to emerge. >> Do you know this guy? >> I do. >> Who is he? >> My ex-boyfriend. >> He's your ex-boyfriend. >> Do you not need me to call medical or anything like that? >> No, but I want to call my parents. He He's giving us some story. You're part of some kind of trafficking ring or some I'm a bookkeeper. >> Can you please tell her to stick to her story that she was kidnapped unless we get her immunity? Please, it's really important that you show. >> On August 22nd, 2023, officers from Arizona were dispatched after an alarming report was made at a gas station. A woman approached a customer and quietly shared her concerns, describing the vehicle and identifying herself, raising immediate suspicion. >> What's going on today? Um, he took me to my house in Mesa and he's had me ever since. He took everything. He had me duct taped to the car. He had me. Okay. >> Do you know this guy? >> I do. >> Who is he? >> My ex-boyfriend. >> He's your ex-boyfriend. Do you have a restraining order on? >> You do? >> I do. The man was identified as 41-year-old Jacob Whalehoy, her ex-boyfriend, against whom she had an active protective order. Notably, he was not present in the vehicle at that moment. The officers were still trying to piece together where the vehicle was headed. >> He's not there. >> There's there's guns right behind me. >> Back here, there's two. I'm sorry. >> So, he pretty much held you captive. I got to figure out who's taping this, but there are zip ties in the car. Guy has guns in here and poss and from what the 101's saying is that she was kidnapped from Mesa. So, if we can contact Mesa PD and see if they got a missing person report or anything else like that. Is that your phone? >> That's my phone. >> This is mine. >> You had it in foil? >> And then can you copy another 27 m subject? Were you hurt in any way? >> Zip tied for a while. >> So he zip tied you >> and it's all right here. >> Some of it came out cuz he had duct tape. >> Did he tell you where you guys were headed >> towards Cayman? >> What for? Did he tell you? >> Just to get away. >> Just to get away. >> Yeah. >> How long ago was it? >> There's like federal people in Africa. I don't know. >> He Yeah, he said that to me, too. He says he was with the DK. But he's got like things in foil. >> Things in foil and stuff. He has a gun, suitcases, bags, any of your clothes or anything? >> I have no >> By that point, the woman had been taken to a secure location while officers worked to calm an increasingly tense situation. Meanwhile, away from the immediate scene, troopers and deputies had the opportunity to speak with Jacob. So, what we're what I'm doing right now is my sergeant's having Mesa PD contact them >> and then we're going to assist them in any way we need to. >> Okay. >> Um, regarding this or detectives may come up and talk to you. It's >> fine. >> Again, >> do you not need me to call medical or anything like that? >> But I want to call my parents, but I can't. >> Okay. Give give us a second. Let us try to figure this out. All right. So, I got to read you this because you're in the back of my patrol car with handcuffs. Okay. So now you have been detained for having committed a crime of kidnapping and now we're still investigating you. Okay. So you can call that the gentleman for the department of a rit is coming. >> A what? A rit is coming. >> A rit? >> Yes. >> No. >> So we're trying to figure out her side of the story. What what is going on? >> At this point officers pressed Jacob for an explanation attempting to understand the motive behind his actions. >> He has been part of a range. >> Okay. We just saved six women. Six of them were in Utah. We got out that were under command. Okay. >> One of them just left. One of one of them left earlier two weeks ago from California. Another one just left yesterday from California. And they've given over a thousand documents. >> Jacob claimed that nearly 10 years earlier, he had participated in a project aimed at protecting women. He explained that he was simply taking her there. Yet, as officers looked closer, it became clear that she had already left the program. Border Patrol is getting us a amity, whatever it's called, cuz they're doing forensics right now up there that we're going to get us both of which we're supposed to try to get to Vegas and get out of the country. >> Okay. Where are you guys going to go to outside the country? >> Uh, I don't know. They have the the DOJ or whatever whoever there has a has a tip back they're getting. We've collected all kinds of information on her and we finally got her to say, "Okay, let's go." But she's been she's been traumatized back and forth. It's it's been it's been terrible. So that people are able to call the gentleman who communicated with. He's working directly with Department of Defense and two federal judges, one of which is here in the state. >> As the investigation continued, officers questioned Jacob about where he worked, a detail he had referenced earlier. However, his explanation began to sound less like the truth and more like a cover for his real intentions. His account only raised more doubts, and with each answer, his credibility unraveled. When officers turned back to the victim, the story was completely different. This was not a work-related meeting. It was a trap. Disguised as a ride share driver, Jacob earned her trust in seconds, just long enough to get her into the car. >> How long have you been with this company >> or agency or whatever you're working for? >> How long have I been with them? >> Yeah. Are you working with somebody right now? >> Yeah, working with three different agencies. >> Who? working. >> What agencies? >> The DOJ. >> Okay. >> The feds. There's a federal judge that's working on it. And the >> what are the hell they're called? The Bord Patrol is the ones that actually get the rent the fastest. >> Do you have any qualifications and stuff to say that you're law enforcement or whatever? >> I'm not law enforcement. I'm just I'm helping them. We collect it all. So, they're helping get us They're getting us. >> So, you like an informant kind of thing? >> That's what they're getting us for tomorrow. Not informant, but like a I don't know. was like this. It's a It's a I can't remember if the actual term is each agency has a different term, but essentially the ones that can get to us the fastest are the >> When did when did he end up taking you today? >> Um we we slept out in the van um last night. >> So he took you yesterday? >> He took me Monday morning. I went to drop my car off at Kia and my car's still there >> at Kia. >> Mhm. >> So you dropped your car off at Kia to get maintenance done or >> Yeah. an oil change and then he he met me there and he showed up with a wig on. >> He showed up with a wig on >> because there was a wig in the back. >> And that's when Did he grab you and force you in the car or >> No, I thought it was an Uber. >> Oh, she thought it was a Uber. >> The woman stated that Jacob spared no effort in attempting to capture her, pointing to a specific object as evidence supporting her claim. >> And there's the wig she's saying he picked him up in. >> So, I don't know, man. So you got zip tie, zip tie, zip tie. Pinkerton detective. >> Yeah. You see that? The >> badges. >> Yeah. He also has a handgun back here, >> does he? >> Yeah. It looks like handcuffs, too, maybe. Or some duty belt. and then realized, did he take the wig off after or? >> Yeah. >> So, you did you order an Uber? >> No. >> So, >> I was waiting and then he called me and he said, "I ordered you an Uber and I walked up to the car and then you told me to get in." >> So, he told you he ordered you an Uber. >> Yeah. He called my >> and then you pulled you got in and then he took a wig the wig off. >> Yeah. >> So, you got her out of there. When did the duct tape and the zip ties come into play? like duct tape and there's zip ties. >> Duct tape and zip ties. There's all kind of stuff in there right now. I don't know what we're going to get into. >> Jacob could not explain how his ex-girlfriend came to be zip tied. Her body, marked by the facts, contradicted everything he claimed. >> How come she was zip tied? >> She wasn't zip tied. >> She wasn't? No. No zip ties on her. >> So, right here is where the duct tape was. >> Yeah. >> And where did he tape you to? >> To the back of the seat. >> To the back. >> To the seat. Not the back seat, but the driver or the passenger seat. So, were your arms behind you or in front of you? >> They were in front of me. >> In front of you. Were they zip tied to you? >> They were zip tied to my legs. He had my thighs and my legs zip tie my arms and then he zip tied my head to the seat. >> Okay. All right. Z tape on her at all. You saw her tape. You saw tape on her tape on She was fine. We just We just had a fire off. So she was I mean she was driving the car in the last gas station. You can go check the you go check the the cameras last gas station. She like drove the car gas and she's fine. She was having cigarettes. She's fine. She's just she's very What's happened is so traumatic that she's going back. I don't know if you have anything to do anything with like victims but they go back and forth all the time. That's pretty traumat. It's fine to surren the the power. So, when did you come in contact with her? >> I've been knowing her for the last year and a half. >> Okay. >> Probably up until like the last 3 years. I didn't know she was actually being trafficked until last September. >> I guess I'll be our next question. How do you know her? >> Well, she originally started working for me like 3 years ago and then we just became close and in the last 6 months we've been dating and then the last 6 months there being discrepancies and we figured it out and since then that's when we started working with different agencies. But the problem is is that as you guys know each agency has their own kind of thieves. So you have to work in office and each one wants to get a caller do this that and the other. So right now California was trying to extradite. >> Yeah. >> Following this line of questioning officers continued to press Jacob about his employment. The goal was to challenge his story, create inconsistencies and push him closer to the truth. >> We're trying to also figure it out because only pretty much law enforcement officers, you know, can enforce the rits and all that stuff. So, that's why we're asking, do you have any other >> I have nothing right now cuz I'll call tomorrow. But if you call the on my phone that that that burner phone's in there after so they can track us cuz I got stuff. If you call >> Which one's the burner phone? >> The big one that's out there that's unwrapped right now. >> It's the one that's in the passenger door. >> No, there's one that's unwrapped. >> Yeah, that that's one that's unwrapped. It's >> like a trio. I think it's called a trio or something. >> If you guys call the last number on the last two numbers, there's nine big number. That gentleman has been helping us. There's a 520 number. The 520 number is a direct contact with the Department of Defense with Border Patrol and with the feds. He can tell you everything that's going on. And that's why I was saying there's I don't know. I don't know how there's any way that we can just let her go cuz >> So they're trying So what you're trying to do is trying to get her out of the country to get her away from trafficking. >> What we're trying to do is we're trying to get her out of the state. >> An officer then asked Jacob to explain the nature of this alleged job and what role, if any, the woman was supposed to have in it. Officers continued questioning him, asking whether he had contacted her when he requested the ride share. Even then, he remained unusually calm, continuing to affirm his fabricated version of events. >> And when you explained this to her, what did she say? >> She's at first denies it that we have recordings and we have to recording the first thing that is happening and we haven't thousands of documents, but we don't have the red yet. So, we were worried that they were going to try to get her before. >> What is uh whose vehicle was that? >> We just bought it to get her out. You guys just bought it? >> I just bought it to get her out. Who'd you bought it from? Um some gentleman. Another last name person. No, I literally just bought it like yesterday. >> You just bought it yesterday. >> Get her out. >> Okay. >> Does her vehicles have tracking on it? Her phone has tracking on it. My phone has tracking on it. So, we got a vehicle that was not registered to anyone that was in front of the mill to try to get her out. We're literally trying to save her. >> Okay. >> And I know it sounds >> So, where did where did you contact her yesterday? >> You're saying you got the vehicle yesterday? You contacted her yesterday. When did you contact her? Where? >> Um, you went breakfast or coffee or something? >> Breakfast or coffee? >> Yeah. Oh, no. I picked her up at the picked her up at her her car was getting the oil changed, so I picked her up. >> Okay. Did you call and tell her you got her an Uber? No, I'm >> telling you guys, she's scared of you guys put her in jail. She probably not going to make it out. So hopefully >> hopefully they get her out before they find out that she's in jail. >> When officers returned to the woman, she was visibly shaken and made it clear she did not want to see Jacob. At that point, it became evident how a relationship can leave lasting unforgettable trauma. >> They couldn't find him to serve him with it. >> So they couldn't find him to serve with it, but she went and saw the judge. And I have people work at home and my parents have a problem too cuz their house is under protective too, >> right? >> Told me that if I said anything, I was going to get hurt. So I just played along with him. >> Okay. >> I had to play along. I had to tell him I love him and told him that I wanted to be there. >> Okay. >> Cuz once I did that, he started letting me untie. >> Okay. So he started once once you started going along with his game. >> Then he let me go. >> That's when he >> he let me >> let you go let you go inside the gas station and do all that. >> Yeah. followed me in the gas station everywhere I went, but he started being more lenient with me. >> Okay. >> At this point, the situation began to weigh more heavily against him as officers started to suspect that he might be connected to a trafficking network. With the investigation reaching a turning point, officers made it clear Jacob was under arrest. >> Uh before I let you call your mom, he he's giving us some story or part of some kind of trafficking ring or some >> I'm a bookkeeper. I'm an literally a accountant. >> For what company? I'm I He got me fired. >> He got you fired? >> Yeah. >> How did he get you fired? >> He called and claimed that he was Mesa PD and my work didn't want the drama. >> Did you guys go to breakfast yesterday morning or have coffee or anything like that? >> No, he went he took me in the car and we left and then >> What color was the wig? >> Brown. >> The brown wig. What else was he wearing? >> He had a black um blazer on. A woman's blazer. blazer and a black or brown wig. >> And it's a brown wig. >> So, brown wig and black blazer. >> Yeah. And it has >> It has like It had Yeah, it had like a velvety roses or flowers on it. Black velvety. >> Okay. Have you ever been endangered or anything like that? Do you feel like people are after you wanting to kill you or anything? >> No. >> He's literally crazy. >> Right. Right. But I I mean I'd still have to >> Hey, Jacob. >> All right, man. So, my name is Deputy Hawkins. Here, I'll help you. >> Get those click off. I can't feel my hands because they're so tight. >> Right. I'm going to I'm going to switch your cuffs out. I'm going to put them in front of you. So, right now, you're not under arrest, but you are detained for further investigation. Okay. So, I have to take you to my headquarters >> and then there's going to be some detectives that are going to talk to you. >> Is there is she still here? >> Yes. >> Can you do me a favor? I ask her this, too. Can you please tell her to stick to her story that she was kidnapped unless we get her immunity, please? That's really important that she really >> stick to her story. >> Stick to her story. Stick to her story about being kidnapped unless we get her immunity from Border Patrol. Otherwise, stick to it. Otherwise, they're going to literally crucify me and say that I kidnapped her unless we get her immunity tomorrow. If we don't do that for I've seen this happen, then take that sword. >> Okay? >> I know it sounds stupid, but that >> Okay, >> please. I swear to God, please do that for me. >> Okay. Let that the trooper know it's going to be taking her down. Okay. >> Okay. Please, but if you just please I know it sounds really Please say that to her. >> Oh, hey, where'd your ankle monitor go? >> It came off. >> Where's it at? >> I don't know. >> You don't know? >> No. >> This whole thing has been really crazy. I can't say too much more about it. But if you just tell her, please stick to that story that I kidnapped her unless we get her out. >> Okay. >> Go ahead and step out, man. >> It's really important. >> I know it doesn't sound like It sounds like a crazy story, but >> Hey, Dave. After enduring hours of fear and uncertainty, the woman was able to reach out to her parents as morning arrived. >> What's what's going on? >> I know I'm here. >> Okay. Is it Who's talking? A police officer? >> Yeah, it's Deputy Hawkins with the Yapai County Sheriff's Office. And there's also a state trooper that's here as well. >> Okay. Uh is is she okay? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, she's fine. >> Okay. Um is she all right? Uh that's the good thing. Um, is she under arrest? >> Why would I be under arrest? >> No, >> I don't know. That's all I'm asking. >> No. Is she okay? Is >> there anything that you that you got? Sorry, I can't hear out here. >> There nothing on me. >> Okay. >> We were traveling very light to try to get out. >> Yeah, there's nothing. And then that ankle bracelet, you don't know where it's at. >> Okay. But you don't you don't have any ID to document your role in any of that. >> No, but if that the gentleman that's on that phone >> Yeah. And if I try to tell you more, it will sound even more stupid and crazy. But the gentleman that if you call, detectives call, he'll be explain it all and he can get you in contact with other people who are helping us get the red. >> In the end, Jacob was arrested on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, unlawful imprisonment, and possession of a weapon by a prohibited person.