Kidnapped Woman, Who Had Been Bound, Gagged and Threatened, Rescued by Cabazon Sheriff's Deputies: Police

CABAZON, CA- A Rancho Cucamonga man is accused of kidnapping his estranged wife at gunpoint this week, driving her near the Cabazon Outlets and forcing her to sign over "the handling of" their children and property, sheriff's officials say.

Blas Chavez, 42, was ultimately arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, kidnapping, criminal threats and domestic battery. He was booked Sunday at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga, and was being held in lieu of $10 million bail, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies say Chavez's wife was reported missing on Saturday by her sister, who told deputies that she had last been seen with her estranged husband.

On Sunday, deputies received information indicating Chavez was allegedly holding his wife -- who had obtained a restraining order against him -- against her will near the Cabazon Outlets.

"The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department (RSO) was notified and located Chavez and the victim," San Bernardino County sheriff's officials said in a news release. "Chavez dragged the victim from a gas station restroom toward his vehicle when Riverside County Deputies located them."

Police say their investigation revealed that Chavez allegedly bound and gagged his estranged wife at her home in Rancho Cucamonga, before putting her in his car and driving east into Riverside County.

"At some point during the drive, Chavez placed a handgun to the victim's head and threatened to kill her," the sheriff's department said.

What's more, police allege the suspect made his wife sign over their kids and property.

"Chavez fired one shot into the air and forced the victim to write a declaration note on the back of his restraint order, for the handling of their children and property," sheriff's officials said. "Detectives located the declaration note and handgun inside Chavez’s car."

Riverside County sheriff's deputies held the man in Cabazon until Rancho Cucamonga police got to the scene.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Rancho Cucamonga Police Department at (909) 477-2800.

– City News Service contributed to this report.