A man has been taken into custody in connection with a kidnapping and domestic violence incident that occurred on Thanksgiving Day in East Los Angeles. Ivan Cruz, aged 25, was arrested on Friday following reports of an alleged kidnapping observed by witnesses in the 1200 block of Dickson Avenue, where they saw a woman being physically assaulted. The victim, later identified as Cruz's girlfriend, appeared to be in distress and was observed on surveillance footage exiting a white SUV before being forcibly placed back into the vehicle by the suspect, said the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in a statement.
According to KTLA, officials obtained the surveillance video which showed the suspect, Cruz, approaching the woman, throwing her to the ground, then assaulting her inside the vehicle before driving away. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department further stated that Cruz was later arrested at his home in Santa Fe Springs, without incident.
The victim was treated for minor injuries at the scene by Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics, as reported by the LASD Nixle alert. Upon his arrest, Cruz was charged with felony kidnapping and domestic violence. Currently, Cruz remains in custody on $1 million bail.
Authorities have encouraged anyone with further information about the incident to contact the Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau at 562-946-7893 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS, as stated in FOX LA.
