COACHELLA: Sheriff’s sergeant rescues kidnapped woman during traffic stop
COACHELLA – A man was arrested after he allegedly kidnapped a woman during a domestic violence related incident Saturday, Jan. 14. The arrest happened about 7:49 a.m., near the intersection of Jackson Street and Avenue 52 near the Coachella Valley Cemetery in Coachella.
Officials arrested Efrain Garcia after he allegedly kidnapped his ex-girlfriend.
While on routine patrol, “a sheriff’s sergeant observed a female waiving and screaming for help as she (waved) her arms to get his attention,” according to Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Paul Heredia. “The female was a passenger of an SUV that was being driven by a male.”
Based on the circumstances, the sergeant conducted an investigatory traffic stop.
After making contact with the two occupants from the SUV, the sergeant determined the female had been the victim of kidnapping and domestic violence.
The victim sustained minor injuries during the incident.
After an investigation, authorities arrested Efrain Placencia Garcia, 31, of Coachella. He was later booked into the Indio county jail on suspicion of kidnapping and battery on a former companion, according to Heredia.
Officials did not specify the nature of the couple’s previous relationship.
“At this time the investigation is ongoing,” Heredia explained.
An online jail records search revealed Garcia was released from jail the same day he was arrested and booked after posting $55,000 bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the Larson Justice Center in Indio March 9.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Thermal Station at (760) 863-8990. Citizens may also make anonymous reports to Valley Crime Stoppers by telephone at (760) 341-STOP. Callers can refer to incident file number C170140010 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.
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Trevor Montgomery spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg in an off-duty accident.
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including the Robert Presley Detention Center, the Southwest Station in Temecula, the Hemet Station, and the Lake Elsinore Station, along with many other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, Personnel and Background Investigations and he finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator.
Trevor has been married for more than 26 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 12 – soon to be 13 – grandchildren.