RIO BLANCO COUNTY, Colo — A Meeker woman who was kidnapped from Michael Bloomberg's ranch, where she is an employee, was located safely in Cheyenne, Wyoming, early Thursday morning, according to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff's Office (RBCSO).
The woman was taken at gunpoint from the ranch after she was contacted by the suspect, Joseph Beecher, near Rio Blanco County Road 7 on Wednesday, the sheriff's office said.
Beecher forced the victim to leave the property in her own vehicle, a 2016 Maroon Ford F150 truck, just before noon, the agency said.
RBCSO worked with local, state and federal partners to find the woman and learned the pair had made several stops in the Denver metro area before traveling into Wyoming Wednesday evening.
"I am so proud of my staff and the ability they have in working together and with State and Federal agencies. This team approach, quick action, experienced deputies and officers, led to [the victim's] safe recovery. It was a great day,” said Rio Blanco County Sheriff Anthony Mazzola.
Federal and local authorities tracked the suspect and victim to the Stagecoach Motel on West Lincoln Street in Cheyenne. The Cheyenne Police Department said they were notified about the situation around 11:15 p.m. They went to the motel and found Beecher and the victim in one of the rooms. The woman was rescued, and Beecher was arrested without incident.
> Watch: Video of the rescue provided by the Cheyenne Police Department
The woman was reunited with her family and Beecher was booked into the Laramie County Jail in Wyoming, where he is being held without bail.
He faces multiple state charges including kidnapping, felony menacing and others, along with charges out of Wyoming.
Beecher was in possession of multiple firearms at the time of his arrest, RBCSO said.
The circumstances of why Beecher traveled to the ranch in the first place are under investigation. RBCSO said the victim and Beecher have no connection.
The Bloomberg family out of New York owns the ranch and were not there at the time of the kidnapping, according to the sheriff's office. They are, however, aware of the incident and are cooperating with the investigation.
"We're deeply grateful to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff's office, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Wyoming law enforcement, the FBI. and other individuals for their swift and heroic action in this case in ensuring that no lives were lost and that the victim has been rescued and safely returned to her family," said Ty Trippet, spokesman for Michael Bloomberg.
At this time, Beecher has no known connection with the Bloomberg family, the sheriff's office said.
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