Officers with the Grand Junction Police Department have made an arrest in the reported kidnapping incident which occurred on 08/24/23. After a reporting party stated a female handed her a message asking for help, officers detained three males and one female after a traffic stop in the area of 24 ½ Rd and HWY 6 and 50. After initial investigation, officers discovered a male, later identified as Lawrense Gonzales (age 28) had assaulted the female in Alamosa, Colorado, before traveling to Grand Junction, Colorado. The female was able to ask for help from a citizen in a bathroom, who called 911 immediately. Two male passengers were detained for questioning and later released. The Grand Junction Victim Service Unit responded to assist the female after this incident and the Colorado State Patrol was on scene to assist. Lawrense Gonzales was arrested and remanded him to the Mesa County Detention Facility on the following charges:
- Assault in the 2nd Degree with Intent to Cause Bodily Injury by Strangulation
- False Imprisonment
- 1st Degree Motor Vehicle Theft
- Vehicular Eluding
- Obstructing a Peace Officer
- Assault in the Third Degree
- Domestic Violence
- Reckless Endangerment
- Reckless Driving
The Grand Junction Police Department believes this to be an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the community. This case remains under investigation and there is no further information at this time.
Read here for initial release.
Attached redacted affidavit.