Man accused of snatching co-worker

PLEASANT VIEW — What began as a quick trip to grab a drink ended with one man arrested for investigation of kidnapping a co-worker.

A Roy man, 21, started his first day Monday at the H.C. Brill plant — a frosting company for cakes in Pleasant View — and was assigned a trainer, said Pleasant View Police Sgt. Brett Hadley. The trainer offered to take his new co-worker to grab a drink, but instead of stopping at a local convenience store, kept driving north past Brigham City.

"This guy (the co-worker) says, 'we've passed a bunch of gas stations. Let me out,' " Hadley said. "But every time the guy asks to get out, the suspect speeds up the car."

Police said the victim became scared when the driver started asking disturbing questions, including if the young man's family is alive or dead.

The young man tried to escape but was unable at any intersections or lights along the way, Hadley said.

Upon reaching Logan, the victim told the driver he needed to use the bathroom and ran into a local A&W Restaurant, pleading for help from employees, who eventually hid him in a back room, Hadley said.

Cache County sheriff's deputies later arrested the driver. "He (the arrested man) never indicated why he did it," Hadley said. "We spoke with his employer, and they were all baffled that this happened."

Police said the kidnapping victim is "shook up" but was not injured.

Derek Valdez was booked into the Weber County Jail for investigation of kidnapping.

— Lana Groves