Suspect arrested for kidnapping girlfriend on I-15

LEHI, Utah – A man was arrested on the side of Interstate 15 in Utah County for allegedly kidnapping his girlfriend and attempting to bring her back to California.

West Valley police said they received a call around 6:30 p.m. Saturday from a family member of the victim. The victim is from California but now lives in Utah.

The victim’s boyfriend came to visit and while they were supposedly on their way to the grocery store, police say he took her with him and planned to drive to California instead. During the drive, police say he told her things like he couldn’t live without her.

The woman sent a text message to a family member informing them of her whereabouts, who then called the police.

West Valley City police found surveillance camera footage of the car the couple was in and released basic information to local law enforcement.

Utah Highway Patrol officers spotted the vehicle and stopped the driver on I-15 in Lehi. The man was arrested and the woman is now with her family. She was not injured. Police added that the two are in their mid-20s.

Police expect the man, whose name was not immediately released, to be arrested on kidnapping charges on Saturday evening.