Suspect in apparent kidnapping surrenders

CHILLICOTHE – One of two suspects in a tow truck theft who allegedly abducted a Ross County man and drove him across the country has crossed back over the Mexican border and turned herself in.

Daniel Woods, 36, and Felicia Holbrook, 24, were being sought by the Ross County Sheriff's Office initially for allegedly stealing a tow truck June 11 from the 100 block of Penwell Hollow Road and then fleeing on foot when deputies attempted to make contact with them.

According to Carol Capas, a spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff's Office in Benson, Arizona, a 37-year-old man saying he had been abducted from Ross County contacted local authorities in Benson at about 8:30 a.m. June 18 to report that he had been abducted but escaped after his alleged kidnappers had walked on foot across the border from Nogales, Arizona, into Mexico.

"The gentleman said he had come home from work in (Ross County) and he was approached by a man and a woman in his yard," Capas told the Gazette Friday. "He knew the woman, he didn't know the man. When he started to get out of the car, the man threatened him with a knife and actually cut his seat belt, forcing him out of the car. They bound him up and put him in the back and then they drove (his car) straight through to Nogales, Arizona, which is a border town with Mexico, and he stated they stopped at a local eating establishment there ... and they were able to leave him in his car and he saw them head for the border and cross over – you can do that, you can just walk over the port of entry."

Ross County Sheriff George Lavender confirmed Friday that Holbrook had crossed back over the border Thursday and turned herself in to the FBI. He said to his knowledge Woods has not yet been captured, and nobody could be reached Friday afternoon for comment at the FBI office in Sierra Vista, Arizona.

Once the couple left the vehicle and walked toward Mexico, Capas said the victim, who was not identified by authorities, was able to work his way into the front seat of his 2014 Chevrolet Impala and drive far enough away until he felt safe to stop, putting him in Cochise County. He made the call from a gas station and, when authorities arrived, requested a medical examination for an unspecified medical condition. Once it was determined that no serious injuries existed, he was able to be questioned by deputies.

Cochise County authorities processed the vehicle for the FBI, finding multiple receipts for gas and snacks on a direct line from southern Ohio to Nogales, as well as the cut seat belt. They did not find a knife or any other type of weapon.

The man was turned over to the FBI for further questioning about his experience at a secure location and the bureau continues to investigate the case.

Capas said in the initial questioning by the sheriff's office that the man did not offer any reason his captors may have given him for why they took him completely across the country only to leave him at the border.

An attempt to extend an offer to the Ross County man to share his story was unsuccessful.

cbalusik@nncogannett.com

740-772-9360

Twitter: @Chris_Balusik