The woman, who has not been recognized, was taken from a vehicle dealership in Phoenix, Arizona, at around 7 a.m., according to Yavapai County police, August 21 local time.
When the victim got in his car, Jacob Wilhoit, 41, who was pretending to be an Uber driver and wearing a wig, allegedly handcuffed her and started driving toward Las Vegas. Police reported that they spent Monday night at a park near Lake Mead.
Around 5 p.m. On August 22 at local time, the automobile entered a Chevron petrol station in Seligman, Arizona. The woman used the opportunity to signal another customer and hand them a paper that included her name, phone number, a description of the vehicle, and their destination. The woman instructed the client to dial 911, according to CBS News.
The client did, to which Yavapai County Sheriff's Office personnel responded. The van had just departed when they got to the petrol station, but the customer who had received the note was able to describe both Wilhoit and the woman, as well as the direction the van had been driving.
The Department of Public Safety was notified by deputies, according to the police. On 1-40, the van was stopped at a mile marker.
When Wilhoit was taken into custody, police claimed discovered many weapons in his car. The investigation also revealed that the woman's mother had reported her missing earlier in the day.
Wilhoit was detained on suspicion of harassing, threatening, and intimidating behavior, aggravated assault, unlawful confinement, kidnapping, and "several other assault charges," according to the sheriff's office. He was checked into the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office Detention Center at 1:20 in the morning, according to online jail records. On August 23, local time.
According to Kristin Green, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, the incident highlights the value of dialing 911, according to CBS station AZFamily. The woman is still terrified by what happened, according to Green as well.
Read also: 'Help Me' Sign Leads to Rescue of Kidnapped Teen
Fake Uber Drivers and Kidnapping in the US
There have been a number of reports of fake Uber drivers kidnapping people in the US. In some cases, the victims have been sexually assaulted or robbed. In other cases, they have been killed.
In one case, a woman in Chicago was kidnapped by a fake Uber driver after she called for a ride home from a bar. The driver took her to an abandoned building and sexually assaulted her. He then drove her to a different location and robbed her.
In another case, a man in Los Angeles was kidnapped by a fake Uber driver after he called for a ride to the airport. The driver took him to an ATM and forced him to withdraw money. He then drove him to a different location and killed him.
These are just two examples of the many cases of fake Uber drivers kidnapping people in the US. It is important to be aware of this danger and to take steps to protect yourself.
Related article: Mexico Kidnapping: 2 Survivors Back in the US After Horrible Ordeal
