Garth's Ex-Wife Kidnapped, But Escapes

The ex-wife of country music star Garth Brooks was kidnapped at gunpoint by a man who worked on her farm after she cooperated with a bail bondsman who wanted to arrest the worker, authorities said Tuesday.

Sandy Brooks had allowed the bondsman onto her property Monday to apprehend the man, who was wanted on an outstanding warrant. The worker responded by drawing a weapon, forcing her into a car and ordering her to drive away, said Barry Lamb, undersheriff of Rogers County.

After driving for several miles, Brooks stopped the car and fled into a convenience store, Lamb said.

Quintine Cornelius Harper was arrested and charged Tuesday with kidnapping and weapons offenses, police said. Lamb said Harper was 24, but a booking sheet at the Tulsa County Jail listed his age as 28.

Sandy Brooks and Garth Brooks were married for 15 years. The couple have three children, but none were present at the time of the kidnapping, Lamb said.

Garth Brooks married Trisha Yearwood in a private ceremony in December at their home northeast of Tulsa.

Brooks had gotten down on one knee and proposed to Yearwood the previous May in front of 7,000 fans at the "Legends in Bronze" event at Buck Owens' Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, Calif. Ten larger-than-life bronze statues honoring country stars were unveiled during that event, including one of Brooks.

Sandy Brooks lives near Garth Brooks' home, Lamb said.