VENTURA : Woman Kidnaped After Leaving Bank

A Ventura woman was kidnaped, blindfolded and robbed at knifepoint Tuesday by a man who hid inside her car while she was visiting a Ventura bank, authorities said.

Mary Adams, 50, was released about five miles away unharmed, but her car and purse were taken by the unidentified assailant, said Police Cpl. Dan Elliott.

The incident began before noon, when Adams went to the First Interstate Bank branch at 2610 E. Main St., Elliott said. When she got back in her car, she was immediately attacked by a man who put a knife to her throat and told her not to turn around, Elliott said.

The man forced Adams to lie face down on the seat, tied her hands and blindfolded her, Elliott said. He then drove her car to the west end of Ventura before releasing her on Harriet Street, he said.

The suspect had apparently hidden on the floor behind the front seat of Adams’ car while waiting for her to return from her banking errand, Elliott said.