Woman kidnapped by armed ex-boyfriend rescued using phone app

A kidnapping According to authorities, the victim was saved from his abductor thanks to the Find My iPhone app.

The El Monte Police Department said in a news release that the abduction occurred Saturday when the victim’s ex-boyfriend, Mario Montano, showed up at the drive-in cafe where she worked in El Monte, southern California.

Montano was allegedly armed with a gun and appeared “distraught,” authorities said.

Police said the former couple got into a heated argument before Montano threw his ex-girlfriend into her car and drove off.

The victim was able to call a friend, who then called police around 5:50 p.m., reported the incident and provided the location of her missing friend via an iPhone app, police said.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deployed a helicopter that spotted the vehicle on the I-5 freeway.

California Highway Patrol units then attempted to stop the vehicle, but the suspect refused to stop and led police on a 21-mile highway chase, police said.

The chase eventually came to an end when officers used spike strips to puncture the vehicle’s tires.

The victim, who has not been named, was found unharmed and the suspect was taken into custody on charges of kidnapping and felony eluding, police said.

Montano is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

Independent The El Monte Police Department has been contacted for further comment.