Rynn Prairie-Rocca has been taken to Cochise County Jail
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A man has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of a 75-year-old woman in Pearce, Arizona on Friday, Jan 3.
According to a press release from Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, the woman called authorities at around 8:10 p.m. to report that she had been kidnapped at gunpoint that afternoon from her home by a man wearing a mask and dark clothing.
The man — who had entered her home at the rear at approximately 3 p.m. — then blindfolded her and forced her into his car. The victim subsequently heard several loud noises but was unaware of what was happening, police say.
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Per the release, she was later moved into the back seat of her own vehicle, a 2007 silver Chevy Avalanche, and driven away from her home. When the kidnapper stopped at a Dollar General, the woman was able to “get out of her restraints and run to a residence for help.”
When authorities arrived, the woman advised deputies that her boyfriend should still be at their home and requested that they contact him to let him know she was going to be transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor wounds sustained during the incident.
However, the release states that when they traveled to the victim’s home, police discovered a 67-year-old male deceased.
Police identified 37-year-old Rynn Prairie-Rocca as a person of interest in the incident, noting that he may have a large dog with him and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Police later reported a “barricaded subject” before confirming that Prairie-Rocca had been taken into custody and transported to Cochise County Jail. Prairie-Rocca barricaded himself for about 90 minutes before the police were able to coax him out, Law & Crime reported.
Per Fox 10, no motive has been shared and the victims are yet to be identified. Per Law & Crime, police have not shared if Prairie-Rocca has any connection to them. Police also did not reveal how the 67-year-old man died.
The incident remains under investigation and Cochise County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond when PEOPLE requested an update.