An unhinged ex-girlfriend allegedly posed as an immigration officer to kidnap her former beau’s spouse at work – even sporting a shirt with the phrases “ICE” throughout it and carrying a handheld radio as a part of the ruse, authorities stated Monday.
Latrance Battle, 52, was arrested on April 11, a day after she was accused of impersonating an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer and convincing the sufferer she needed to come along with her, the Bay County Sheriff’s Workplace stated.
When Battle reached the lodge the place the spouse labored, the alleged perp instructed her she was there to “decide her up,” unzipping her jacket to point out the phrases “ICE” on the black shirt she had on, in keeping with an arrest affidavit obtained by native retailers.
She additionally allegedly flashed a sheriff’s workplace enterprise card and handheld radio in hopes of showing extra official.
The sufferer, who’s “within the strategy of changing into a authorized United States resident,” went with Battle willingly as a result of “she was scared and didn’t wish to get in additional hassle,” in keeping with the affidavit reported on by the Miami Herald.
Throughout a journey in Battle’s automobile, the girl tried to name her lawyer and husband, however Battle snatched the telephone out of her palms and claimed she had a name from the sheriff’s workplace.
The ploy ultimately fell aside when Battle allegedly zoomed previous the sheriff’s workplace and instructed the sufferer she “now has to endure the implications of her husband’s actions,” the affidavit states.
As soon as the pair reached an condominium complicated, Battle went into one unit and was “making a whole lot of noise,” paving the best way for the kidnapped girl to flee, authorities stated.
The sufferer requested a neighbor if she might use his telephone after which hid behind his automobile as Battle seemed for her.
After she described the pretend agent to her husband, he stated she seemed like his ex-girlfriend. The partner was beforehand pressured to take out a restraining order in opposition to Battle, the affidavit reportedly states.
Physique cam footage launched by the sheriff’s workplace reveals a deputy method Battle’s automobile and repeatedly name on her to open the door.
Finally, the deputy opened the motive force’s seat door and Battle exited the automobile and was arrested with out incident. Police stated she was fleeing to Alabama on the time of the visitors cease.
She is dealing with expenses of kidnapping within the fee of a felony, theft by sudden snatching, impersonating a legislation enforcement officer in fee of a felony and felony violation of probation, the Bay sheriff’s workplace stated.
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