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This week in Montecito, California, sheriff’s deputies saw an RV traveling south on the 101 just before 11 p.m. Oddly, the rig’s pop-outs, meant to fold flat before hitting the road, were extended. This lack of prep work for driving conditions causes excess wind resistance and could lead to an accident. Once they approached the vehicle, though, they realized something much worse reportedly happening inside the camper: an actual kidnapping.

A 34-year-old armed male occupant allegedly forced the female driver, who had her infant with her, to drive the RV south from Santa Barbara to Orange County.

Before police entered the scene, the man apparently threatened the woman with knives. He also reportedly put his hands on her neck and fired a gun out the window.

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office spokesperson issued a statement explaining that the victim tried to comply with the kidnapper’s demands until police stopped them.

The relationship, if any, between the victim and 34-year-old Newport Beach man wasn’t divulged.

Authorities arrested the alleged kidnapper and charged him with multiple felonies after finding a loaded firearm in the RV plus a spent 9mm casing. The Santa Barbara Independent checked court records yesterday, and the man appears to be under custody with a $1 million bail.

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Sarah Kennedy

Sarah Kennedy is the Editor-in-Chief of MotorBiscuit. She joined the team as Managing Editor in 2021 and has more than 20 years of automotive and operations expertise. She held ASE certifications as an Automotive Service Consultant and Parts Specialist and was a licensed car salesperson for many years. Sarah often focuses on helping drivers navigate used car buying and vehicle ownership. She created “Shop Smarts,” a column for MOTOR Magazine, and was a contributor there for eight years. Her work earned her a Gold Medalist award from the American Society of Business Publication Editors in 2014 and Bronze Medalist awards from the International Automotive Media Competition in 2014 and 2015. She attended the Automotive Management Institute and earned her bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University.