Troopers rescue California kidnapping victim

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Troopers arrested a Missouri man Tuesday evening on Interstate 80 east of Fernley, and rescued a person who was kidnapped in a carjacking earlier that day in Rocklin, Calif.

Davon T. Robinson-Bowls, 21, was arrested and booked into Churchill County Jail on several charges after a 38-mile chase ended when Bowls surrendered after being called on the phone by State Police Dispatch.

According to the State Police, on Tuesday, March 15, at approximately 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nevada State Police Dispatch received information from Rocklin Police Department regarding an armed carjacking that took place earlier in Rocklin. The vehicle was reported to be in Nevada on Interstate-80 eastbound, east of Boomtown. A victim was also reported to be in the stolen vehicle. Several Troopers with Nevada State Police Highway Patrol responded to the call and attempted to locate the vehicle, which was described as a white Nissan Altima with Kentucky registration.

At approximately 6:38 p.m., Troopers located a vehicle matching that of the stolen vehicle on I-80 eastbound in the area of mile marker 44 in Fernley. After confirming the license plate matched the reported stolen vehicle, the Troopers initiated a traffic stop. The driver failed to stop, increased his speed, and attempted to evade the Troopers. Soon after, Troopers said the driver threw a black metallic object out of the vehicle and quickly accelerated to speeds between 110-120 miles per hour. Troopers continued to pursue the vehicle eastbound for another 38 miles in light traffic. In the area of mile marker 70 (Trinity Exit), Nevada State Police Dispatch was on the phone with the driver and convinced him to stop the vehicle.

At approximately 6:57 p.m., the vehicle stopped on I-80 eastbound in the area of mile marker 82. Troopers immediately took both the driver and passenger into custody. Troopers determined that the passenger was a victim. The victim was provided with local counseling and a safe place to stay. A black handgun matching the description given by the victim, was retrieved in the area Troopers had reported seeing the driver throw out a black metallic object from the vehicle.

The driver, identified as Robinson-Bowls, of Kansas City, Mo., was arrested and booked at the Churchill County Jail on the following charges:

1. Attempted Kidnapping – 1 st Degree

2. Possession Firearm Ex-felon

3. Evade/Elude/Fail to Stop on Signal or LE Officer

4. Destroy/Concealing of Evidence

5. Take/Poss Veh w/o Owners Consent

6. Reckless Driving w/ Disregard to Safety of Person or Prop, 1st Offense

7. Carrying Concealed Weapon

8. Driving w/o a Valid DL or Exp.

9. False Statement to or Obstruct Public Officer

10. Attempt Poss SCH I, II C/S LT 14 Grams, 1st or 2nd Offense

11. Fugitive from Justice