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Couple kidnapped and repeatedly beaten by woman and man
Abstracted from story by Abbey Soukup, Colorado Springs Gazette
June 12, 2024 — An officer with the Colorado Springs Police Department received a report of a kidnapping at the Arbor Point Apartments in Colorado Springs. The reporting party told police from his bed at Memorial Central Hospital that he and his girlfriend had been kidnapped, held captive for over a day at gunpoint, and repeatedly assaulted.
The responding officer took note of the victim's multiple injuries, including several lacerations on the back of his head, a swollen right eye socket, scratches on his face and arms, bruising on both knees, and a fractured orbital socket, according to arrest records.
The male victim told police that on the previous Saturday evening, June 8th, the male victim and his girlfriend were staying at a friend's residence at the apartment complex along 2503 Hancock Expressway in Colorado Springs.
The male victim told police he and his girlfriend were taken at gunpoint back to another residence at the apartment complex, were separated in different rooms, and continually beaten in the head with the firearm and fists. While neither the male nor female victim were restrained, they were guarded at gunpoint and were told multiple times they would be killed if they attempted to escape, arrest records state.
Both victims told police the group was taking turns assaulting them all the time they were held captive. Additionally, the male victim told police a glass beer bottle was broken over his head, and he was beaten multiple times in the head with a baseball bat.
The female victim described the assault to authorities as being, “beaten like a pinata.” She told police she didn't remember how many times she was struck with the handgun or baseball bat, adding that she had “blacked out,” multiple times amid the assault.
The female victim told police the two were eventually brought outside of the apartment complex and ordered to dig their graves. That's when her boyfriend was able to escape the suspects and get help from authorities.
The male victim told police he fled and hid inside a ditch in an area of dumpsters behind the apartment complex, where he passed out and slept until the following morning. Then he went to a friend's house, who helped him order a rideshare to a nearby hospital, records state.
Police went back to the apartment where the female victim was discovered. Investigators found both of the victim's cellphones and clothing there.
The male victim told police a group of residents at the complex were upset with him and his girlfriend for speaking with police that had reportedly resulted in a person known by the suspects being sent to prison. Of that group, the man identified two of the residents involved in the dispute as Linda Guest and Joseary Arizmendi.
The male victim continued, telling the police the group, consisting of Ms. Guest and Mr. Arizmendi along with two others, confronted the couple at their friend's apartment wearing black masks and armed with handguns.
Based on the evidence discovered, and victim and witness interviews regarding the kidnapping and assault, investigators developed probable cause to arrest Ms. Guest and Mr. Arizmendi for the double kidnapping and assault. The arrest affidavit of one of the suspects responsible in Colorado Springs gave an apparent motive and additional details into the violent interaction.
According to her arrest affidavit, Joseary Arizmendi is facing multiple charges including first-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping, and aggravated robbery. The arrest affidavit of Linda Guest was not available. No information was available about the other two assailants.
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