A man is accused of assaulting and kidnapping his girlfriend and her 1-year-old child, then driving away with the child after the woman managed to escape in Victorville early Friday, authorities said.
Deputies tracked down the suspect and recovered the child within minutes of the alleged crimes, which were reported about 1:20 a.m. Feb. 13 in the 12100 block of Palmdale Road, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department officials and records.
A woman relayed she and her child had been riding as passengers in a car being driven by 35-year-old Jonathan Armando Romo, officials said. He is not the child’s father.
“Romo punched the victim and refused to let the victim exit the vehicle with her child inside,” sheriff’s department spokeswoman Jenny Smith said.
“At some point, the victim was able to exit the vehicle, but the suspect drove away with the child,” she said.
Deputies found the suspect and child about five minutes later, just over three miles to the east at Palmdale and El Evado roads, sheriff’s officials said.
Paramedics examined the child at the scene, Smith said. The woman declined medical treatment.
Romo was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, domestic violence, assault with a deadly weapon, making criminal threats and mayhem, county booking records show.
Bail was set at $80,000 pending an initial appearance in San Bernardino County Superior Court.
Anyone with information can reach the Victorville Police Department at (760) 241-2911. Information may also be provided anonymously to the We-Tip hotline at (800) 782-7463.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Man accused of kidnapping child amid domestic violence in Victorville
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
