Wednesday, April 8, 2009

'Infatuation' leads to kidnap charge

Suspect accused of trying to abduct woman in Ketchum


By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

A 26-year-old Blaine County man has been charged with second-degree kidnapping for allegedly trying to force an acquaintance into his vehicle in Ketchum last week.

Ketchum police identified the suspect as Fernando Romero, who remains incarcerated in the Blaine County jail on $25,000 bond and is suspected of being an illegal immigrant.

Romero was arrested by Ketchum police on April 1 and formally charged with the crime later that day in Blaine County Magistrate Court. Hailey attorney Cheri Hicks was appointed public defender.

Interim Ketchum Police Chief Mike McNeil said Romero allegedly tried to abduct the woman, a 25-year-old acquaintance, on two occasions. He allegedly tried to force her into his vehicle on March 30 at about 4:30 p.m. and again on March 31 at 7:45 p.m. Police are uncertain where the first alleged attempt occurred but McNeil said the second happened on Spruce Avenue near the Community Library.

"According to her statement he's infatuated with her," McNeil said. "It's escalated to the point where he's actually trying to grab a hold of her. He's attempted twice to get her into his car and forcibly did that by grabbing her arm. She managed to get away both times. The first time she didn't have a cell phone with her, but the second time she did and called police."

Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com




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