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Des Moines Police Department: Suspect charged in kidnapping case

Police have arrested 52-year-old Robert Daniel Gonzales of Des Moines. He is charged with second-degree kidnapping and first-degree burglary.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines police say a suspect has been arrested and charged in a kidnapping case from earlier this week.

DMPD responded to a report of a kidnapping in the Easter Lake Area neighborhood at shortly before 7 a.m. Thursday.

A 73-year-old woman told police a man forced his way into her home late Wednesday. The suspect allegedly restrained the victim and drove her around, forcing her to make ATM cash withdrawals. 

The suspect proceeded to abandon the victim in her home and steal her car, according to police. Her car was later located in a Walmart parking lot on SE 14th Street. 

52-year-old Robert Daniel Gonzales of Des Moines was found after police asked the public for help in finding him. He has been arrested and charged with second-degree kidnapping and first-degree burglary.

"Evidence in this investigation indicates that Gonzales had prior knowledge of the victim after being in her home several months ago to repair a household appliance," police said in a press release Saturday. "During this incident, Gonzales knocked the victim to the ground and restrained her using plastic zip ties."

Gonzales is being held at the Polk County Jail without bond.

Local 5 will update this story as more information becomes available. Download the We Are Iowa app or subscribe to Local 5's "5 Things to Know" email newsletter for the latest. 

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