Suspected kidnapping victim spotted in Arizona has been found in Nevada

PHOENIX — A suspected kidnapping victim, who had been spotted in Arizona over the weekend, has been found safe in Nevada, authorities said Tuesday.

Virginia Paris, 55, managed to tell security guards Monday at the Railroad Pass Hotel and Casino in Henderson, that she had been kidnapped.

Her suspected abductor, ex-boyfriend Joseph Hetzel, 52, was still at large but was taken into custody later Tuesday evening in Las Vegas.

Paris and Hetzel checked out of the Grand Canyon Inn in Valle, Arizona, around 7:30 a.m. on Monday after spending the night there.

The pair were also spotted at a Starbucks in Goodyear, Arizona, around 7:15 a.m. on Sunday, before Paris was forced to leave with Hetzel.

Paris gave her name to the Starbucks employee and then went to the bathroom. After she went to the bathroom, she told a female customer that she needed help.

Hetzel, who saw the conversation, dragged her out of the coffee shop and drove off with her. She was able to throw her car registration out of the door as Hetzel sped away.

Paris was allegedly kidnapped by Hetzel shortly after she left work on Friday in Solvang, California. She had recently sought a restraining order against Hetzel, who police say has served time for crimes related to a domestic incident.

The sheriff’s office believed that Paris continued to be held against her will. Paris and Hetzel were suspected to be driving in Paris’ black 2015 Chrysler 200. The car has a California license plate 7NGE514.

The car was found abandoned in Mesquite, Nevada after Paris was rescued.

Hetzel is 6-foot-2, weighs 195 pounds and has hazel eyes and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a light blue collared shirt. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone who sees Hetzel was urged to call 911 immediately and not approach him.

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