New Garden man alleged to have kidnapped family to N. Carolina; family rescued, man eludes capture
NEW GARDEN — A phone call Tuesday morning to the Chester County Crime Victim’s (CVC) Center may have saved the life of a township woman and her two children, after her estranged husband kidnapped them and spirited them off to North Carolina.
Police said that the CVC received a call from an unknown number at about 11 a.m., it was the woman, police did not identify her to protect her and her children’s identity, saying she had been kidnapped on evening of the 11th by Miguel Angel Vazquez. Vazquez had previously been sought by local police on charges of sexual assault against one of his children.
The victim advised authorities that she was somewhere in North Carolina and her cell phone had been taken from her. New Garden Police were able to provide a detailed description of Vazquez and his vehicle and an approximate area where they were thought to be to North Carolina police.
Local police in North Carolina were able to locate Vazquez and the three victims. While the three victims were rescued without harm, Vazquez apparently slipped into a nearby residence and eluded police.
Although Vazquez remains at large as of Tuesday afternoon, the victims were safe and a return home to Chester County is expected in the coming days, offering relief to local law enforcement officials.
Noting that this is the second incident of domestic-related kidnapping in the past six months, township Police Chief Gerald Simpson said he and his department were thankful for the cooperation and responsiveness of the various agencies that worked together to rescue the family.
“(We are) extremely grateful to our colleagues in North Carolina,” he said in a prepared statement. “Everyone’s collaborative actions and dedication are the reasons behind this family’s safe recovery.”
Law enforcement authorities continue to search for Vazquez, who managed to elude police in North Carolina. Once he is apprehended Vazquez is expected to be extradited back Chester County and face charges for both this incident as well as his previous charges.
