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DMPD: Man who kidnapped ex-girlfriend now in custody, 'co-conspirator' also charged

The victim alleges her attacker choked her, ran her over with a car and cut her throat.

DES MOINES, Iowa — Two people are in custody after allegedly kidnapping a woman from her Des Moines home Saturday, police said in a press release. 

Des Moines police were notified by Osceola police Saturday night that a 32-year-old woman was at Clark County Hospital, claiming she had been kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday. 

In an interview with Des Moines police, the woman said she was bound with duct tape and transported to a home in Indianola. Later, she was placed into a car and taken to an unknown location, where she was forced out of the vehicle. 

The victim alleges her attacker choked her, ran her over with a car and cut her throat. He then drove her to Clark County Hospital and dropped her off in the street. 

"When it comes to kidnappings, this was the real deal," Sgt. Paul Parizek of Des Moines police told Local 5.

On Sunday, Des Moines police detectives executed a search warrant at a home in Indianola. 

Following the search, police charged 40-year-old Jordan Mangum with Kidnapping, Willful Injury and Violation of a No Contact Order. Mangum is currently being held at Polk County Jail. 

A second individual, 34-year-old Jessica Wheeler, is charged with one count of kidnapping. Police say Wheeler, who is also being held at Polk County Jail, was present for the entire attack. 

"A co-conspirator like that, at any point, you can stop, or you could encourage the other person to stop, or you could leave and call the police," Parizek said. "And none of that happened." 

Court documents show Mangum has a history of domestic violence. Just a few weeks ago, he was charged with domestic abuse assault against the same victim. 

The attack reflects an unfortunate trend in domestic abuse cases where a victim will report the abuse, only to face escalating acts of violence. Parizek urges victims to take extra precautions after leaving an abusive relationship. 

"Make sure that there's a close friend or a family member who knows what you're going to be doing, who knows who you're going to be with, maybe understands what your patterns are," Parizek said. "So if there's a deviation there, if something changes that's out of character, they know to call the police." 

The victim remains in the hospital as she recovers from her injuries. 

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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