An unhinged ex-girlfriend allegedly posed as an immigration officer to kidnap her former beau’s spouse at work – even carrying a shirt with the phrases “ICE” throughout it and carrying a handheld radio as a part of the ruse, authorities mentioned Monday.
Latrance Battle, 52, was arrested on April 11, a day after she was accused of impersonating an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer and convincing the sufferer she needed to come together with her, the Bay County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned.
When Battle reached the lodge the place the spouse labored, the alleged perp advised her she was there to “pick her up,” unzipping her jacket to indicate the phrases “ICE” on the black shirt she had on, in response to an arrest affidavit obtained by native retailers.
She additionally allegedly flashed a sheriff’s workplace enterprise card and handheld radio in hopes of showing extra official.
The sufferer, who’s “in the process of becoming a legal United States resident,” went with Battle willingly as a result of “she was scared and did not want to get in more trouble,” in response to the affidavit reported on by the Miami Herald.
Throughout a experience in Battle’s automobile, the girl tried to name her lawyer and husband, however Battle snatched the telephone out of her palms and claimed she had a name from the sheriff’s workplace.
The ploy finally fell aside when Battle allegedly zoomed previous the sheriff’s workplace and advised the sufferer she “now has to suffer the consequences of her husband’s actions,” the affidavit states.
As soon as the pair reached an residence complicated, Battle went into one unit and was “making a lot of noise,” paving the best way for the kidnapped lady to flee, authorities mentioned.
The sufferer requested a neighbor if she might use his telephone after which hid behind his automobile as Battle regarded for her.
After she described the pretend agent to her husband, he mentioned she appeared like his ex-girlfriend. The partner was beforehand pressured to take out a restraining order in opposition to Battle, the affidavit reportedly states.
Physique cam footage launched by the sheriff’s workplace exhibits a deputy strategy Battle’s automobile and repeatedly name on her to open the door.
Ultimately, the deputy opened the motive force’s seat door and Battle exited the automobile and was arrested with out incident. Police mentioned she was fleeing to Alabama on the time of the visitors cease.
She is going through prices of kidnapping within the fee of a felony, theft by sudden snatching, impersonating a legislation enforcement officer in fee of a felony and felony violation of probation, the Bay sheriff’s workplace mentioned.
