WYOMING (Washington Insider Magazine) – A woman abducted from Michael Bloomberg’s property in Colorado earlier this week has been found safe and sound in Wyoming, and her accused abductor has been apprehended.
According to investigators, the 46-year-old woman was taken at gunpoint from the Bloomberg Ranch in Rio Blanco County, where she actually worked, on Wednesday morning. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York and a business magnate, owns the property.
According to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office, accused Joseph Beecher, 48, of Craig, Colorado, reportedly forced her to exit the property in her car just before noon.
According to the Wyoming police complaint acquired by NBC News, he forced access onto the privately owned ranch by smashing his truck through the front gate.
According to court documents, he allegedly questioned her where the wealthy Bloomberg’s young daughters, Georgina and Emma, really were stating he intended to “make an international scene” with him or his daughters.
Authorities were first dispatched to the scene due to a car accident. According to NBC NEWS, the investigation was then changed to an abduction when further information was received, and a statewide dangerous missing alert was released for the captured victim.
Beecher, as well as the woman, were not acquainted, and he had no ties to the Bloomberg household, according to the sheriff’s office. The reason for Beecher’s visit to the property is unknown.
The Bloombergs were away from the property at the time, according to officials, and were collaborating with investigations.
Beecher reportedly kidnapped the victim and drove her to the Denver metro area, where she made multiple stops before heading to Wyoming, according to the sheriff’s office.
Beecher transported her to the Stagecoach Motel in Cheyenne, Wyoming, according to the investigation, which was assisted by local, state, and federal officials.
The Cheyenne Police Department’s SWAT squad proceeded to the hotel and apprehended Beecher without incident, and the woman was successfully located early Thursday.
She has now been finally reunited with her family, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
As per the complaint, officers discovered an AR-15 rifle and extra magazines in the motel room.
Beecher is currently being jailed without bail at Wyoming’s Laramie County Jail.
In federal court on Thursday, he was accused of kidnapping. He is facing various state charges, including abduction and criminal menacing, and further charges in Wyoming, according to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office.
Beecher’s lawyer information was not readily accessible.
Beecher’s first court appearance is scheduled for February 8th.
