Sherriff confirms NM rancher kidnapped, NM State Police investigating

Sherriff confirms NM rancher kidnapped, NM State Police investigating From: Carol Capas Sent: Tuesday, December 8, 2015 4:55:37 PM Subject: New Mexico Kidnapping Report Good Afternoon, As some of you may be aware, there is a kidnapping report being investigated by the New Mexico State Police along with the Cochise County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The basis for this report is that a ranch hand from the Animas NM area was on his ranch yesterday when he observed a parked vehicle with two men inside. The ranch hand reported that he stopped to see what was going on when the men said their vehicle was broken down and they then forced him to drive them to Willcox Arizona in his vehicle The ranch hand reported that he did drive the two to Willcox and they told him not to report anything because they would have someone watching him. The ranch hand did report this incident and the New Mexico State Police contacted the Sheriff's Office for cooperation and assistance to investigate this report. The NM State Police is the lead agency with the Cochise County Sheriff's Office providing assistance. The NM State Police advised that US Border Patrol have two subjects in custody as a result of a short vehicle pursuit and leads that were developed at the scene of the reported kidnapping. It is unknown what, if any, involvement these two subjects have in the reported kidnapping, however, both subjects are being interviewed in relation to this incident. The Sheriff's Office is working diligently to bring this case to closure for the peace of mind and well being of our ranchers and our citizens. We encourage anyone with information on suspicious activity to call us immediately and we will continue working in close cooperation with you all. Stay safe out there! Carol A. Capas Cochise County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer 520-432-9504