California authorities have arrested a 28-year-old New York man accused of forcing a North Carolina woman to drive across the country with him, allegedly subjecting her to torture and abuse while making her commit crimes.
Rahson Govantes was taken into custody on Saturday, facing felony charges including aggravated mayhem, torture, kidnapping, and assault with a deadly weapon, according to a press release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office.
Arrest at Chino Hills Shopping Center
The investigation began around 2:43 p.m. on Saturday, when deputies responded to a report of “suspicious subjects loitering in front of Sephora” at The Shoppes at Chino Hills. Govantes and a 51-year-old woman were detained at the scene.
During the investigation, deputies discovered several fraudulent identification cards, social security cards, and debit cards. The 51-year-old victim subsequently told deputies a harrowing story of being kidnapped and forced to travel across the United States with Govantes, a New York resident, and an unidentified woman.
Allegations of Torture and Forced Fraud
The victim told authorities that the purpose of the alleged kidnapping was to commit fraud throughout the U.S. to repay debts she owed…