Whittier Man Arrested in Kidnapping of 2 Women
Orange County sheriff’s deputies arrested a 25-year-old man in San Juan Capistrano early Friday after he began beating a woman he had kidnapped in Whittier, authorities said.
Richard Renier of Whittier abducted two women after they agreed to give him a ride, police said. One of the women, who had been forced to drive the car, managed to escape by slamming on the brakes as the car approached the southbound Junipero Serra exit of on the San Diego Freeway. She ran from the vehicle to call authorities.
Deputies who arrived on the scene shortly after 1 a.m. found Renier still in the car with the other hostage, sheriff’s Sgt. Bob Wren said.
Deputies ordered Renier out of the car, but he refused to comply. After about 15 minutes, he allegedly began beating the woman. Deputies then broke the rear window of the car and arrested Renier. A sheriff’s car camera videotaped the incident.
Renier was being held Friday on suspicion of kidnapping and assault with a deadly weapon, Wren said.
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