A 24-year-old man is awaiting extradition back to Georgia after he allegedly kidnapped his ex-girlfriend from the Cherokee County Fair on Sunday, police said.
Derbi Tito Morales-Reynoso is accused of being under the influence of alcohol as he drove his ex-girlfriend, whose name has not been released, from the fair in Canton to Chattanooga, Canton police said in a statement.
Police were called by the woman’s friend about midnight Sunday. She told officers her friend said her ex had taken her against her will and she needed police help.
When a Canton police supervisor called the abducted woman’s phone, only music could be heard on the open line, but shortly thereafter the woman began texting the Canton supervisor and her family members, police said.
Officers then requested a “ping” that would send the woman’s GPS location from her cellphone.
“As additional information became available, it appeared the victim and suspect were somewhere near Chattanooga, close to Interstate 75, and that the two may be headed to an unknown location in Kentucky,” police said in the statement.
When officers determined the car stopped at a Flying J gas station, Canton police contacted the station and learned two people matching their descriptions were in the parking lot.
Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers arrived and arrested Morales-Reynoso.
Canton police Chief Mark Mitchell said officers are thankful the victim was safely located before she was seriously injured or suffered a worse fate.
“It is extremely important to recognize the fact the victim in this case never gave up and had a strong will to survive this volatile situation, which played a key role in finding her and arresting the suspect,” Mitchell said.
Morales-Reynoso faces charges of kidnapping with bodily injury, DUI and driving while suspended by the state of Tennessee.
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