An armed man who reportedly kidnapped his girlfriend and led law enforcement in a high-speed chase of more than 20 miles was taken into custody with the help a smartphone app, officials announced Sunday.
The Nov. 2 incident unfolded in the 10300 block of Lower Azusa in El Monte just before 6 p.m., according to a news release from the El Monte Police Department.
Investigators say the suspect, identified as Mario Montano, showed up “armed with a firearm and distraught” to his girlfriend’s place of work.
“The suspect engaged in an argument with the victim which escalated when the suspect forced the victim into her own vehicle and drove away not allowing the victim to exit,” the release detailed.
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During the incident, the girlfriend called a friend who alerted police and was able to provide the victim and the suspect’s location using the Find My iPhone app.
Deputies in a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department helicopter located the vehicle on the 5 Freeway near the Bandini exit and notified the California Highway Patrol, who later attempted a traffic stop.