A woman out for a jog in the city of Ventura found herself fighting off an alleged would-be kidnapper and escaping with the help of a Good Samaritan driving by late last month, officials announced.
The terrifying March 25 ordeal reportedly unfolded near the intersection of Telegraph Road and Nevada Avenue just before 2:45 p.m., a news release from the Ventura Police Department stated.
The victim, who has not been identified, told responding officers that she stopped her jog at the intersection when suddenly a man she did not know, had not seen and had not heard because she was wearing headphones approached from behind and wrapped his arms around her in a “bear hug.”
“The victim was able to struggle and break free, running from the suspect,” the release noted.
Another woman driving in the area witnessed the suspect, now identified as 28-year-old Ventura resident Vincent Dominguez, allegedly approach the female jogger from behind and grab her, prompting her to pull her vehicle over and let the victim into her car.
Authorities added that the Good Samaritan was also able to get several photographs of the 28-year-old as he fled the scene on foot.
The victim was not seriously injured during the attempted kidnapping.
As police investigated, locating additional surveillance cameras in the area, Dominguez’s photograph circulated on social media. A Ventura resident recognized the 28-year-old and detectives were able to confirm his identity, authorities said.
He was later arrested at his residence and booked at the Ventura County Jail for attempted kidnapping.
Authorities did not provide any additional information, including an arrest date for the suspect.