Accused kidnapper out on bond

A Portales man accused of kidnapping and beating his wife last week was released on bond from the Roosevelt County Detention Center Monday, according to a detention center officer.

Manuel Gonzalez, 25, is charged with kidnapping and battery against a household member from a Feb. 5 incident after an alert was issued for the 2000 black Camaro he was driving in, according to a Portales Police Department press release.

Manuel Gonzalez

Charged with kidnapping, battery

Portales Police Chief Doug Jones said Gonzalez was initially charged with battery of a female but after further investigation by the Portales police, the Portales office of the 9th Judicial District Attorney authorized the charge of kidnapping.

According to the statement of probable cause from the arresting officer:

• A Portales police officer was dispatched to South Abilene street to assist a police service aide, who had located a female who had just jumped out of a vehicle she said she was being battered in.
• The woman told the officer her husband, Gonzalez, who she's currently separated from, came to her place of employment wanting to talk to her.
• The woman said she went home and met Gonzalez, who asked her to go for a ride. Gonzalez eventually parked the Camaro at City Park, where an argument ensued between the two and the woman said Gonzalez began to punch her.
• The woman said she attempted to get out of the vehicle at the park but Gonzalez held her arms, not allowing her to move.
• The woman said Gonzalez started the vehicle and began to drive at a high rate of speed and each time she attempted to get out of the vehicle, he would accelerate, threatening to kill them both.
• The woman said while attempting to escape the vehicle, she was punched repeatedly. The woman eventually jumped out of the moving vehicle when Gonzalez slowed down and he sped away when she escaped.

Gonzalez was later located by another Portales officer and arrested.

According to the officer's statement, Gonzalez admitted to getting into an

argument with his wife and pushing her but denied punching her. He also admitted to driving recklessly.

The officer said Gonzalez's hands were cut, consistent with the woman's statement of his battery of her.

Gonzalez was arrested for unlawfully taking, restraining and transporting his wife by force with the intent to inflict death, physical injury or a sexual offense as well as battery and held on a $25,000 cash only bond.

According to detention center officer James Andes, Gonzalez was arraigned Monday where his bond was changed to $25,000 cash or surety.