Palm Springs Man Arrested for Kidnapping and Threatening Ex-Girlfriend
Photo: Manuel Valadez
A Palm Springs man has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and threatening his ex-girlfriend with a gun.
The kidnapping took place on the morning of September 23, 2020. According to the female victim, her ex-boyfriend, 33-year-old Manuel Valadez, took her at gunpoint from her home in Palm Springs. He then drove her around the Coachella Valley, threatening her and even firing off a shot.
“It appears there may have been a struggle between the victim and suspect in the vehicle and the vehicle became disabled near the Costco in Palm Desert off Dinah Shore,” according to the release. The woman was able to escape and call 911 for help.
Riverside County police deputies arrived and searched for the suspect, but he was not immediately found. The incident was reported to the Palm Springs Police Department, and the public was notified to call 911 if Valadez had been seen or his location was known.
Police personnel from both Riverside and Palm Springs collaborated in the search for Valadez, and he was located the following day at a residence in the Coachella/Thermal area. He was arrested without incident at about 9:30 PM and booked into the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.
