Kidnapping victim leaves note in Utah gas station leading to suspect arrest, documents say

Kidnapping victim leaves note in gas station leading to suspect arrest

Updated: Jun 27, 2024 / 11:57 AM CDT

FILE: A motorist fills up a vehicle at a Shell gasoline station Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Englewood, Colo. The most-anticipated recession probably in modern U.S. history still hasn’t arrived. Despite higher borrowing costs, thanks to the Federal Reserve’s aggressive streak of interest rate hikes, consumers keep spending, and employers keep hiring. Gas prices are falling and grocery prices have leveled off, giving Americans more spending power. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

EMERY COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — A Michigan man was arrested last Thursday in central Utah for alleged kidnapping after the victim left a note in a gas station restroom, according to the probable cause statement.

Richard Lyneal Phillips, 38, is facing one count of kidnapping, a second-degree felony, and several misdemeanor charges including violation of a protective order and giving false personal information to a peace officer.

On June 20, Utah Highway Patrol troopers were notified of a possible kidnapping by someone who had found a note in a gas station restroom. According to documents, the note had a phone number and a message from the victim saying she was being held against her will.

Police tracked a phone to Green River in Emery County and located Phillips and the female victim. Documents say Phillips provided an incorrect name and had a “marijuana cigarette” in the center console.

There was a “brief stand-off” where a deputy pointed a taser at the suspect before he was handcuffed and detained. Documents say the victim appeared “very emotional and scared at this time.”

The State Bureau of Investigation interviewed both Phillips and the female victim. She allegedly told them she had been held against her will and was physically assaulted several times. Authorities noted in their report that she had marks on her body to corroborate the assault claims.

Investigators confirmed that the victim had an active protective order against Phillips. They also said they found several warrants in Ohio linked to Phillips for robbery, drug possession, strangulation, and assault. Documents say there was also a warrant out of Michigan for strangulation and possession of drugs.

The victim allegedly told police Phillips approached her in Michigan and demanded she drive him to Colorado.

She said she knew he was running from law enforcement and was forced to drive him to several states, where she attempted to contact police at the hotels they stayed at. According to the probable cause, the victim said Phillips would flee with all her belongings in the vehicle and return after the police left. After these attempts, she left the note in the bathroom which led the police to find them.

Documents say she told investigators she had contacted authorities 32 times since November due to Phillips showing up at her home and assaulting her and her children. She said police were only able to locate him two times.

Phillips was booked in the Emery County jail.