Cops: Woman escaped ex-boyfriend's kidnap by passing note
KINGMAN, Arizona -- Authorities say a Phoenix woman who was sexually assaulted and kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend managed to escape at a truck stop after passing a note pleading for help.
Mohave County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Trish Carter said deputies were still searching for suspect Arnulfo Ruiz Delatorre, 39.
Carter said Delatorre allegedly forced his ex-girlfriend into a car at knifepoint early Saturday and then drove her to his Phoenix home, where he sexually assaulted her.
Delatorre allegedly threatened to kill the woman's family members if she called police, then broke her phone, police told Azcentral.com.
He then drove down Interstate 40 but needed to stop for gas near Kingman, nearly 200 miles northwest of Phoenix.
Carter says the victim was in the bathroom of a Luvs truck stop and handed a note to another woman, pleading for her to call 911. The note read, "Please help me. Call the police," reported azcentral.com.
Delatorre then fled, but authorities have taken his vehicle.
Police say Delatorre told the victim he was heading to Las Vegas, and investigators believe he may still be on his way there, reports CBS affiliate KLAS.
Phoenix police will handle any charges against him.
The woman was transported to the hospital with minor injuries.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Mohave County Sheriff's Office at 928-753-0753 or call Silent Witness at 928-753-1234.