A 29-year-old female from Big Bear City was allegedly kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend. The man is now in custody facing felony kidnapping charges. (File Photo)
By G. T. Houts
Big Bear City, CA – A 22-year-old man is facing kidnapping, criminal threats and domestic violence charges following an incident in the 300 block of South Sites Way in Big Bear City.
THE INCIDENT
Deputies from the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station responded to the alleged kidnapping of a 29-year-old female victim on Thursday, October 30, at about 4:52 p.m. This incident had just accurred, according to a media release.
Arriving deputies contacted witnesses and family members of the unidentified female victim and learned she was taken against her will by her ex-boyfriend, Zachary David Crawford.
Witnesses reportedly told officers, Crawford pulled the victim into his beige, Chevy Suburban and drove away from the scene at a high rate of speed. Witnesses stated the victim was still hanging out of the open, passenger door, screaming for help, as the vehicle sped west-bound on South Sites Way.
The suspect vehicle was seen driving towards the Sugarloaf area.
During her abduction, the victim attempted to disable the vehicle but was unsuccessful. When the victim tried to escape, the suspect struck the victim multiple times.
AREA SEARCH
Big Bear deputies canvassed the area and within minutes, heard a female screaming for help in the forest area west of Sugarloaf.
Deputies located the victim and Crawford in the beige Suburban. It appeared the suspect had attempted to drive the vehicle off the side of a small dirt road when it became disabled, the press release stated.
THE ARREST
Crawford, a resident of Acton. was placed under arrest without incident, and booked into the Big Bear Jail for Kidnapping (Penal Code 207), Criminal Threats (Penal Code 422) and Domestic Violence (Penal Code 273.5), in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Crawford was transferred to the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga where he awaits arraignment on the charges. That court appearance is scheduled for Monday, November 3, at 12:30 p.m. (105)