A crime initially reported as a kidnapping in Cottonwood took a few odd twists before its resolution.
At approximately 6 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 19, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office dispatch received three separate calls about the apparent armed kidnapping of Virginia Ann “Samantha” Reyes and her 14-year-old son from the 2600 block of Village Drive. According to Lt. Tom Boelts, of the Yavapai Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Bureau, one of the callers knew the kidnapping victim.
Asked if the victims had been inside the 2650 block buildings on Village Drive in question, Boelts answered, “We believe they were outside.”
The suspect, an unidentified Hispanic male armed with a shotgun — later identified as Charles Fitzpatrick — was reported by YCSO Media Relations Coordinator Dwight D’Evelyn to have forced the victims into a gray 2016 Dodge Charger that had been entered into a national crime
database as stolen. A second vehicle, a silver Dodge Neon, was reported to possibly contain two adult males and the victim’s son.
After noon on the same day, D’Evelyn released three updates to YCSO’s initial press release, confirming that detectives had located the missing mother and her son at a home in the 500 block of N. Broadway, Clarkdale. The Dodge Neon was found nearby. The stolen Dodge Charger was found floating in the Verde River a few miles from the Broadway home. The latter car had been rented by the homeowner at the Village Drive location.
The following day, D’Evelyn sent a final, concluding update.
“The incident apparently started during a dispute with Reyes and the 36-year-old female resident on Village Drive in Cottonwood yesterday morning,” D’Evelyn stated. “A 2016 Dodge Charger had been rented by the resident from a Prescott area business and also used by Reyes. Reyes met with the resident and claimed the resident owed her money for the car based on a prior agreement. A confrontation ensued and Reyes claimed she became concerned for her safety due to threats from the resident.”
Reyes then called Fitzpatrick for help. He arrived at the Village Drive home in the Dodge Neon with Reyes’ son and another man. As reported, Fitzpatrick decided to take the Dodge Charger, pushing Reyes into the car before starting to drive away.
“The resident attempted to prevent Fitzpatrick from leaving by striking the driver’s window with a pipe, smashing the glass,” D’Evelyn stated. “Fitzpatrick continued driving and struck a man with the [Dodge Charger] standing nearby who had come outside after hearing the commotion. The man fell to the ground with a non-life threatening injury to his leg.
“The resident called 911 to report that Reyes had been kidnapped and her rental car stolen,” D’Evelyn stated. “There were also indications Reyes’ 14-year-old son had been forced into the Dodge Neon before it drove away, but these allegations have been determined unfounded.”
Reyes later contacted law enforcement after hearing news reports that she had been kidnapped. She denied the kidnapping allegation, but admitted Fitzpatrick had pushed her into the Dodge Charger before fleeing.
Reyes initially claimed no knowledge as to where the Charger was located. Fitzpatrick told detectives he parked the car near the Tuzigoot monument area, D’Evelyn stated.
“A short time later, YCSO received a report the car had been found floating in the Verde River. After the car was removed, a rock was found placed over the gas pedal in an effort to aid vehicle acceleration into the river,” D’Evelyn stated. “When confronted with the evidence, Fitzpatrick admitted dumping the car in the river hoping the vehicle would not be found.”
Fitzpatrick has been booked on charges including vehicle theft, damage to property and endangerment. All are felony charges. Bond has not been set.
Reyes was booked on charges including vehicle theft and hindering prosecution “based on statements initially indicating she had been forced into the Charger by Fitzpatrick and denying any knowledge of her participation in the vehicle theft.”
Bond has not been set by press time.
