Armed Ex Accused of Kidnapping, Wounding Woman During Ride to Alhambra

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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ALHAMBRA - A woman was seriously injured January 18 after her ex emerged from her vehicle with a handgun and allegedly kidnapped her, forcing her to drive from Pasadena to Alhambra.

A concerned friend received a call from the woman who was heard arguing with a man. After the call dropped, the friend notified Alhambra Police Dispatch around 6:30 a.m. During a search for the woman’s vehicle near her residence, the woman’s son notified officers about a call he received from her, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

The son said his mother was still with the ex, identified as 43-year-old Alhambra resident Clemente Enrique Contreras.

Clemente allegedly followed the victim to Pasadena and was waiting in the back seat of her vehicle. He also allegedly forced her to drive to Alhambra, hitting her several times in the head, according to the Alhambra Police Department.

Officers located the woman’s vehicle at Almansor Street and Ross Avenue where the suspect exited, allegedly still armed with a handgun. The woman drove away. Contreras allegedly refused to surrender.

“Officers secured the scene and attempted to de-escalate the situation. After almost an hour of negotiation, Clemente Contreras of Alhambra, CA, dropped his weapon and was taken into custody,” according to the Alhambra Police Department in a written statement.

Contreras was booked on suspicion of domestic violence, kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and false imprisonment, according to Lt. Grant Spencer of the Alhambra Police Department.

Contreras is being held in lieu $1.25 million at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility ahead of a scheduled appearance in the Alhambra Courthouse January 22.