PHOENIX — A man was arrested after reportedly kidnapping a woman and stealing her car in Phoenix overnight.
Phoenix police say the incident occurred around midnight near Cave Creek and Mountain View roads where a man met a woman to inquire about a vehicle.
The man reportedly took the vehicle for a test drive with permission from the woman, who later asked to be let out of the vehicle because she was “fearful.”
According to police, the woman said the man "started acting strange."
”He drove her around for approximately an hour, talking crazy saying if he encounters the cops it’s going to be a problem,” according to police radio traffic.
The man reportedly refused to let her out and drove her around for about an hour before letting the woman out at the original meeting location. Police say the man then took off with the vehicle.
The man was later found with the vehicle and was arrested. 30-year-old Jiovany Acosta was booked into jail on several charges including kidnapping.
Phoenix police say if you are looking to sell a car:
- Meet a prospective buyer in a safe and public location.
- Bring another person with you to the meeting and on the test drive. Manage and control the test drive as much as possible to include where you are going and how long it will be.
- If you are alone, bring a cell phone and make sure someone you know is aware of where you will be and who you are meeting
- Attempt to vet the prospective buyer as much as possible.
- Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, you can end the meeting at any time.
The investigation is ongoing.
