Officials in Arizona are hoping the public can help locate a woman who was kidnapped out of Solvang, Calif. and was last seen in Goodyear, Ariz.
According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office, on Sunday around 7:15 a.m. Virginia Paris, the kidnapping victim, and Joseph Hetzel, her kidnapper, were seen at a Starbucks near McDowell and Litchfield roads.
The 55-year-old woman ordered a coffee drink under her name, and when she was at the coffee shop she told a customer she needed help. Her 52-year-old kidnapper saw the interaction, grabbed her and pulled her out of the store. He then pushed her into a vehicle and drove off quickly, officials said.
While they were taking off, Paris threw out her car registration paperwork, which was recovered by the Goodyear Police Department.
Police say she was taken in a 2015 Chrysler 200 with California license place of "7NGE514." The vehicle was last seen entering the Interstate 10 freeway headed eastbound towards the Phoenix area, according to officials.
Paris is described as being 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds, has brown hair and brown eyes and was last seen wearing a light colored shirt.
Hetzel, who is the woman's former boyfriend who she had sought a restraining order against, is described as being 6 feet, 2 inches tall, weighs about 195 pounds, has brown hair and hazel eyes and was last seen wearing a blue colored shirt.
Hetzel has served time in prison for possession of items used to make explosive devices, using explosive devices with the intent to terrorize, criminal threats and felony vandalism. Officials believe the man has access to firearms and should be considered armed and dangerous. If seen, he should not be approached or contacted.
The woman was kidnapped on September 1, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.
Anyone who has seen Paris or the suspect is encouraged to contact 911; several police agencies in California and Arizona are working this case together in hopes that she'll be located safely. Anonymous tips can be left by calling (805) 681-4171 or left online here.
