Hostage Executed in Trunk During Chase; Deputies Gun Down Kidnapper
Sheriff’s Deputies Shoot Kidnapper After He Kills Hostage in Car Trunk
What Happened in Chino Hills
Late Wednesday night, a scary situation unfolded on a quiet residential street in Chino Hills, California. Sheriff’s deputies were forced to shoot and kill a man who had just murdered a kidnapped victim locked inside the trunk of a car.
Important Point: This all happened very fast—within minutes of a traffic stop. The deputies didn’t know someone was in the trunk until it was too late.
How It Started
The chain of events began around 10:00 PM on Monteverde Drive:
- 911 calls came in – Neighbors reported hearing gunshots and someone yelling for help
- Deputies arrived – They spotted a Nissan Altima with Oregon license plates
- Attempted traffic stop – The driver refused to pull over
- Short chase began – The car fled to nearby Wandering Ridge Drive
- Car finally stopped – That’s when everything went wrong
The Terrifying Moment Caught on Camera
A surveillance camera recorded what happened next. Here’s what the footage showed:
- The passenger got out first with hands up – surrendering peacefully
- The driver (a 67-year-old man) got out and walked to the trunk
- He opened the trunk and shot the person inside (a 60-year-old man)
- Deputies opened fire immediately, killing the driver
Who Was Involved
| Person | Age | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Kidnapper/Driver | 67 | Shot and killed by deputies |
| Kidnapping Victim | 60 | Shot by kidnapper, died at scene |
| Passenger | Unknown | Taken into custody, cooperating |
| Deputies | N/A | No injuries reported |
What We Know So Far
- The victim was kidnapped from a home on Monteverde Drive
- Forced into the trunk of the Nissan Altima
- Driven away during the police chase
- Deputies had NO IDEA someone was in the trunk
- The passenger is in custody and being questioned
- No threat to the public – authorities say the situation is contained
- Investigation is ongoing – more details expected Thursday
What Neighbors Are Saying
"I was shocked, to be honest. This doesn’t happen in Chino Hills."
— Gregory Uthus, nearby resident
Summary
In a tragic sequence of events, a routine traffic stop turned deadly when a kidnapping suspect executed his hostage in front of deputies. The victim, abducted from his home minutes earlier, never had a chance. While the suspect is dead and the passenger is in custody, many questions remain about why this happened and who these people were. The community is shaken, but authorities confirm there’s no ongoing danger.
FAQ
Why didn’t the deputies know someone was in the trunk?
The trunk was closed during the chase. Deputies only discovered the victim after the suspect opened it and fired. They had no way to see inside the car.
Is the passenger also a suspect?
The passenger surrendered peacefully with hands up. They’re in custody for questioning, but authorities haven’t called them a suspect yet. The investigation will determine their involvement.
Was this a random kidnapping?
We don’t know yet. The motive is still under investigation. The victim was taken from a specific address on Monteverde Drive, suggesting it may have been targeted.
Are there any other suspects?
No. The Sheriff’s Department confirmed there are no outstanding suspects and no threat to the public.
What happens next?
Detectives will:
- Process the crime scene and evidence
- Interview the passenger
- Identify both deceased men
- Determine the relationship between all parties
- Release more information Thursday
Source: KABC Television, San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department
Copyright © 2026 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
