Man accused of kidnapping teen over Sony PlayStation

The sale of a portable video-game console ended Saturday with what police believe was a kidnapping.

A 21-year-old American Fork man was booked into jail for investigation of kidnapping after police said he forced a 17-year-old into his vehicle and drove him against his will toward Salt Lake City.

The 21-year-old, Jose Espinosa-Arellano, allegedly bought a portable Sony PlayStation but tried to return it to the seller at his home when it did not meet his expectations, said American Fork Police Lt. Darren Falslev.

"The guy he kidnapped was trying to settle the dispute in the man's car, and he took off with him," Falslev said. "He threatened him in the way that he said, 'Now you're in my territory. I have no problem taking it out on a family member.' "

Falslev could not confirm whether the victim and the seller were related.

While the victim was in the back seat of the car, he used his cell phone to send text messages to his brother regarding his whereabouts, Falslev said.

When the driver pulled off I-15 at 7200 South, the victim jumped out of the car and ran into a nearby store.

Police said Espinosa-Arellano was circling the block looking for the victim when officers pulled over his vehicle and arrested him.

He was booked into Utah County Jail, and bail was set at $5,000. According to jail documents, he was in jail Monday evening.

— Michael Gonda