Woman escapes after being kidnapped at gunpoint, police say

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A man is facing 10 charges after kidnapping his wife at gunpoint, Brownsville police said.

Police responded to a call of a kidnapping in progress on Saturday, March 30 at 7:13 a.m. that originated at the 4100 block of Westland Drive.

The call said that a man, identified as 37-year-old Martin Severiano Vela, entered a residence and "forcefully" took his wife at gunpoint into a white Chrysler 300, police said.

"In the course of the kidnapping, Vela pointed the gun at the homeowners and told them to get away," a press release from Brownsville Police Department said.

_{Martin Severiano Vela (Brownsville PD)}

Witnesses say a man was on top of the hood of a Chrysler 300, and a woman was inside the vehicle screaming at a Stripes on the 3500 block of E. Ruben M. Torres Blvd.

Officers arrived on the scene and were able to locate the woman.

She told police that before arriving at the Stripes, Vela had driven her to an abandoned property near Dana Avenue "in an attempt to hurt her," the release continued.

The wife said that when Vela stepped out of the vehicle to get her out, she jumped into the driver's seat to drive away. This is when Vela jumped onto the hood of the car until they arrived at the Stripes where she was able to escape and Vela fled the scene.

Shortly after, the Texas Department of Public Safety notified police they were in a pursuit with the Chrysler, which was driving recklessly.

Officers with Brownsville PD took over the chase, which ended after Vela crashed the vehicle. He was found hiding in a shed at the 500 block of Salvatierra Street, police said.

Vela is facing the following charges:

• Aggravated kidnapping with a deadly weapon
• Burglary of habitation with intent to commit other felony
• Aggravated assault with deadly weapon (two counts)
• Driving while intoxicated with three or more previous convictions
• Evading arrest with motor vehicle
• Reckless driving
• Duty on striking fixture
• Burglary of building
• Failure to identify, giving false information.

Vela was arraigned on March 31. His bond was set at $212,000.