Woman escapes attempted kidnapping after meeting man on social media

Authorities are searching for the suspect involved in the incident in southeast Fresno

Mar. 14, 2026 at 4:33am

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Authorities are searching for a man who allegedly attempted to kidnap a woman in southeast Fresno after she agreed to meet him on social media. The victim was able to escape by jumping out of the moving car, but suffered minor injuries.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the risks associated with meeting strangers online and the importance of personal safety when arranging in-person encounters. It also raises concerns about the prevalence of violent crimes in certain neighborhoods of Fresno.

The details

Police say the victim agreed to meet the man on social media Thursday just before 10 p.m. in the area of Willow and Cesar Chavez. The victim reportedly got into the suspect's car and began talking when the man pulled out a knife and threatened her. The two got into a struggle before the suspect restrained the woman and drove off, but the victim managed to escape by jumping out of the moving car near Cedar and Tulare.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday just before 10 p.m.

The players

Suspect

A man who attempted to kidnap the victim after meeting her on social media.

Victim

A woman who agreed to meet the suspect on social media and was able to escape the attempted kidnapping by jumping out of the moving car.

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What’s next

Police have not yet identified the suspect and are continuing to investigate the incident.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of exercising caution when meeting strangers online and the need for increased safety measures and community awareness to prevent such violent crimes in Fresno neighborhoods.