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Agents Rescue Victim from Kidnapper

Release Date
Tue, 09/12/2017

YUMA, Ariz. — U.S. Border Patrol agents rescued an 18-year-old woman from her alleged kidnapper on Friday morning.

Border Patrol agents assigned to the immigration checkpoint east of Yuma selected a 2016 Jeep Patriot for a secondary inspection following a Border Patrol canine’s alert. During the inspection, agents separated the male driver from his 18-year-old female passenger for separate questioning. In the process, agents conducted records checks on both individuals and learned the woman was reported missing from Phoenix. She told agents the man took her against her will and beat her.

Agents contacted Department of Public Safety troopers who took charge of the case and arrested the driver for kidnapping, aggravated assault, domestic violence and disorderly conduct. The woman was taken to Yuma Regional Medical Center.

Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Provaznik, of the Yuma Sector Border Patrol, said later, “We prepare our agents to handle all sorts of situations in all types of environments. It was with this training that agents were able to save a woman from her kidnapper, leading to her eventual return to her family.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021