LOWNDES COUNTY — A Lowndes County man has been charged with kidnapping after investigators say a woman reported being held against her will for several days and threatened with a handgun.
Emerson Samael Roderiquez, 33, was arrested following an investigation that began Tuesday when deputies were dispatched to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle regarding a possible kidnapping.
According to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, the woman told deputies she had been held against her will by Roderiquez, her boyfriend, from June 14 until she arrived at the hospital June 17. She told investigators she convinced Roderiquez that she was experiencing a medical emergency and needed treatment, leading to her being transported by ambulance to the hospital, where she reported the incident.
The victim told investigators that Roderiquez used a 9mm handgun to prevent her from leaving and threatened to kill her if she attempted to escape. She also alleged that he fired the weapon at her on two separate occasions during the ordeal.
Based on information obtained during the investigation, authorities obtained arrest and search warrants for Roderiquez.
Members of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team responded to Roderiquez’s residence on Mike Parra Road near Columbus to execute the warrants. After receiving no response to repeated commands, SWAT personnel deployed chemical agents into the home. Authorities said Roderiquez then exited the residence and surrendered without incident.
Deputies searched the residence and recovered a 9mm handgun, according to the sheriff’s office.
Roderiquez was transported to the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center, where he remains in custody. No bond had been set as of Thursday, and investigators said additional charges could be forthcoming.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at 662-328-6788 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the P3 Tips app.
