Kidnapped Woman Saved by Debt Collector

VICTORVILLE : Nobody like the visit of debt collector in this tough economic times.  But this time a woman was lucky to have the debt collector visit her.  Reprtedy the debt collector was visiting her to collect the missed car loan payment.  A woman held captive since Sunday by an ex-boyfriend was set free Wednesday morning after a chance visit from a debt collector, officials said.

The victim’s boyfriend held her captive at her home in the 16800 block of Winona Street, near Second and Nisqualli avenues, according to San Bernardino County Sheriff’s officials. During the ordeal, the woman suffered numerous bruises, scratches an bite marks on her body.

A saleswoman from a local car dealer noticed the victim had not made her car payment and decided to stop by the woman’s home to pick it up, said Deputy Mark James.

When the captor, Miguel Rios, 28, of Barstow, allowed the victim to open the door, the saleswoman noticed the scratches on the victim’s body, James said.

The victim was able to communicate to the woman that she was being held against her will and that Rios had a gun.

The woman called police and they were able to get Rios into custody, James said.

Investigators found the victim inside the home and she was given medical treatment, according to James. Officials also found the gun.

Rios is a self-admitted gang member, according to sheriff’s authorities.

Rios was arrested for false imprisonment and was booked into Victor Valley Jail.