Glendale woman claims ex- boyfriend kidnapped, threatened to kill her
A 50-year-old El Sereno man was arrested early Tuesday after he allegedly kidnapped his ex-girlfriend at knifepoint from her home in Glendale.
Los Angeles police officers found Pedro Rivera’s 25-year-old ex-girlfriend in North Hollywood after she jumped out of his 2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and ran away, Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.
“She is lucky to be alive,” he said.
Hours later, officers from Glendale’s Special Enforcement Detail obtained an arrest warrant and took Rivera into custody about 3:55 a.m. after monitoring his apartment in the 5300 block of Hyde Street in the El Sereno neighborhood of Los Angeles, Lorenz said.
Rivera allegedly entered his ex-girlfriend’s home about 8:20 p.m. Monday and ordered her to get inside his Monte Carlo while threatening that he had a gun, Lorenz said.
His ex-girlfriend refused, and then he allegedly grabbed a knife and wrestled her to the floor. Rivera also stole her phone, Lorenz said.
Fearing Rivera would kill her, she entered his car and they drove to North Hollywood, Lorenz said.
While they were stopped at a parking lot, she jumped out of his car, ran, and then notified police.
Los Angeles police picked her up in the 5100 block of Vineland Avenue and notified Glendale officers of the kidnapping, Lorenz said. Rivera’s ex-girlfriend and her mother were placed in emergency housing for her protection.
Rivera served nearly six years in prison for assaulting his ex-girlfriend, whom police did not identify, and was recently out on post-release community supervision, Lorenz said.
The ex-girlfriend told police that Rivera punched her in the face two weeks ago, Lorenz said. He also allegedly stabbed her with a pen.
Officers reportedly noticed faded bruises and marks on her face and body, he added.
She also told police that he injected her with heroin to “keep her in a controlled state,” Lorenz said.
Rivera has a lengthy criminal history, which includes convictions for spousal assault, driver’s license violations, being under the influence of a controlled substance and being drunk in public, according to Los Angeles County Superior Court records.
He has also been arrested in connection with robbery, possessing methamphetamine, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, mayhem, false imprisonment and assault with a deadly weapon, according to court documents.
Rivera is scheduled to appear Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court in Glendale. He remained in custody Tuesday in lieu of $100,000 bail.
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