Suspect Arrested in Kidnaping, Rape of Ex-Wife After 100-M.P.H. Chase

A 27-year-old Bakersfield man suspected of kidnaping and raping his ex-wife was arrested Saturday after leading Orange County sheriff’s deputies on a 20-minute chase that reached speeds of 100 m.p.h., authorities said.

Sheriff’s officials said the rape occurred Friday afternoon when Johnny Ellis Mayo lured his ex-wife to the Laguna Hills Mall under the pretense of wanting to visit their 3-year-old daughter. After spending the day with his ex-wife and daughter, authorities said, Mayo forced his wife into her car in the parking lot at gunpoint and ordered her to drive to her El Toro residence.

There, sheriff’s officials said, he raped the victim and held her captive overnight. The child was with the suspect and the victim during the attack.

Early Saturday, officials said, he ordered his ex-wife to drive him back to the Laguna Hills Mall to pick up his car. After dropping him off, she called authorities.

About 7:25 p.m. Saturday, authorities said, a sheriff’s patrol car spotted the suspect in his car near the victim’s El Toro residence. He fled, leading officers on a 20-minute chase north for 32 miles.