Ogden, UT — Two men are facing multiple criminal charges following a harrowing kidnapping and assault incident in Lehi, Utah, on December 4. Jose Manuel Batisdas-Gil, 22, of Eagle Mountain, and 21-year-old Alan Morales Eduarte, of Salt Lake City, were charged on Monday with first-degree felonies, including aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery. In addition to the serious charges, both suspects face several third-degree felonies related to aggravated assault, multiple counts of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, as well as misdemeanor offenses for failure to stop at the command of police and possession of a controlled substance.
According to the Lehi Police Department, the disturbing chain of events began when the victim, a woman, reported being picked up by Batisdas-Gil and Eduarte at a motel in Lehi. She told authorities that upon entering their vehicle, she noticed the men appeared to be under the influence of drugs and that she could visibly see pink pills in the car. The suspects reportedly had firearms in the vehicle, which they were “waving around” as they drove.
The woman said she was driven in the direction of Ogden but was soon held captive by the two men. During the trip, both suspects allegedly confiscated her phone and refused to return it, while continuing to make threats of violence. At one point, one of the men reportedly racked a gun and said, “I’m going to kill you,” according to the victim’s statement.
Fearing for her life, the woman said she didn’t feel she could escape the situation as the men made continuous threats toward her. While traveling through Roy, she spotted a police officer and rolled down her window in a desperate attempt to call for help. However, one of the suspects allegedly placed a gun in her mouth and issued another threat.
The victim was eventually dropped off in Roy at an undisclosed location and was able to contact authorities. She provided police with a detailed description of the two men and their vehicle, leading investigators to trace the woman’s phone back to the motel where Batisdas-Gil and Eduarte had been staying.
When officers arrived at the motel, they found the suspects had fled through a window just before police entered. Despite their attempts to evade capture, both men were eventually located and arrested. The suspects reportedly did not comply with police commands upon being confronted.
Upon their arrest, law enforcement officials discovered several firearms, marijuana, and a large quantity of pink pills inside the motel room.
Batisdas-Gil and Eduarte are currently being held in the Utah County Jail. Authorities have confirmed that the investigation into the incident is ongoing. Both men are facing serious charges that could result in significant prison sentences if convicted.
This case highlights the dangers of drug-fueled violence and the role law enforcement plays in swiftly addressing such threats to public safety.