Man reports bizarre kidnapping

A reported kidnapping that culminated with a blindfolded man jumping out of a car has led to one arrest and left Salt Lake police with a lot of questions.

According to Salt Lake police detective Jeff Bedard, a man told police two other men came to his home demanding to know where a stolen TV was. When the man said he didn't have it, the intruders took out a Taser and "repeatedly tased him on the arms, shoulders and chest," Bedard said the man told investigators. They then pointed a gun at his head and beat him with their fists and the butt end of the gun, he said.

The intruders emptied two jewelry boxes before forcing the homeowner to drive them to another location in his car. The victim told police that when they got to the second residence, he was blindfolded before a woman started questioning him again about a stolen TV.

Meanwhile, the victim's wife arrived home and called his cell phone when she saw the place had been ransacked. The woman who was holding the husband hostage answered the phone and allegedly threatened to take the man to a pig farm in Magna and kill him if police were called, Bedard said.

After hanging up, the wife did call police while the intruders allegedly put the victim back in his truck and started driving again. Despite still being blindfolded, the man said, he jumped out of the truck near 800 South and 600 East to get away, Bedard said. A Salt Lake County sheriff's deputy came upon him a short time later.

Salt Lake police who went to the man's home did not notice anything out of place, Bedard said. He said the woman told investigators she had cleaned up before they arrived.

After getting a description of the suspects, Salt Lake police were able to track down and arrest one 30-year-old man. He was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault and drug possession.

The victim suffered some cuts and bruises but no serious injuries. His truck was still missing as of Friday afternoon.

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