Merced County Sheriff’s Office investigating possible kidnapping, assault in Los Banos
The Merced County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a possible firearm assault and kidnapping that took place in Los Banos on Friday, Aug. 7, according to authorities.
The incident occurred at about 4 p.m., near the aqueduct overpass on South Creek Road, south of Almond Drive.
According to a post on the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, a man was driving a white Lexus sedan parked near a female victim. The suspect pointed a firearm at the woman and fired twice. It’s unknown whether she was shot.
The suspect continued to point the gun at woman as she was forced to enter the suspect’s vehicle.
The suspect drove northbound on South Creek Road and a video surveillance camera captured the Lexus turning eastbound on Sunset Drive toward Ortigalita Road, south of Los Banos.
According to Merced County Sheriff Deputy Daryl Allen, the identity of the victim and suspect are unknown at this time.
The victim is described as an Asian woman between 20 and 30 years of age. She’s 5-feet, 3-inches tall, 120 pounds with short black hair. She was wearing a white dress with different colored polka dots.
The suspect is described as an Asian male adult, between 20 to 30 years old. He’s 5-5 and between 150 to 180 pounds. He was wearing a black baseball hat. The suspect’s vehicle appeared to b a white four-door, 90’s model Lexus sedan.
The incident is still being investigated at this time and anyone with information is asked to contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau at 209-385-7472.
