NEWPORT BEACH, CA — An Anaheim man is in custody today in connection with a violent kidnapping and assault that shut down a major Orange County freeway Sunday, according to police.
Charles Hernandez was arrested in Newport Beach Sunday on suspicion of kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, felony vandalism and domestic violence.
Investigators with the Fullerton Police Department said two victims, a man and a woman, were sitting in a vehicle in Anaheim when the suspect — later identified as 42-year-old Charles Hernandez — walked up to the vehicle and started hitting it with his hands.
The woman told the man to drive to the Fullerton Police Department, however, police said he was unfamiliar with the area and drove into a cul-de-sac on Dawns Way from Acacia Avenue. That is when Hernandez intentionally rammed the victim's vehicle two times before exiting his car and attacking the victim's car again, according to the Fullerton Police Department.
"As the male victim exited his vehicle, the male suspect assaulted the victim, demanded his wallet and threatening to retrieve a firearm to kill him," Fullerton police said in a news release. "Fearing for his life, the victim armed himself with a hammer to defend himself. The suspect then swung a metal sign at the victim before turning his attention to the female victim."
During the struggle at around 4:10 a.m., the female victim called 911 and reported that a man she knew was attacking her and another person on Dawns Way near South Acacia Avenue.
She told the dispatcher that Hernandez was trying to take her against her will.
"While the dispatcher remained on the line, a struggle was heard before the call went silent," investigators said. "The last sounds heard were a vehicle fleeing, followed by a silence, and then responding sirens."
Fullerton police officers got to the scene within two minutes of the call and found the male victim as he was leaving the scene.
He told police that during the altercation, the suspect forcibly removed the woman from his car and dragged her into his own vehicle before fleeing.
A search ensued. Hernandez's vehicle was spotted on the shoulder of the 57 Freeway near Ball Road in Anaheim roughly an hour later, police said.
After trying to make contact with the vehicle, Hernandez fled on foot across all lanes of traffic, prompting the temporary closure of the freeway while officers searched the area, according to police.
The woman, police said, was found in the vehicle. Her condition was not known.
Hernandez was eventually found and taken into custody in Newport Beach around 5:30 p.m. before being booked at the Fullerton City Jail.
No further information was immediately available.
MORE ORANGE COUNTY NEWS:
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Newport Beach, CA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.