Lovers’ quarrel turns violent along I-5, 1 arrested

A lovers' quarrel on the side of Interstate 5 quickly turned into a domestic dispute and a case of kidnapping early Sunday morning when a Washington man reportedly beat his wife and forced her back into his vehicle on a long drive home from San Diego.

Kings County Sheriff's deputies were called out from the Avenal Substation to a report of a possible battery in progress at 3:30 a.m. A brown 1988 Ford Ranger with Washington plates was seen on the side of the road on northbound I-5 at Utica, near Kettleman City.

The vehicle was found not far from the scene driving at a high rate of speed toward Fresno County. Deputies pulled the vehicle over with the help of California Highway Patrol officers.

The driver, 47-year-old Dale Moore, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of kidnapping, false imprisonment and spousal abuse. It was determined at the scene that the female victim had been "held against her will and beaten," according to an official press release.

The victim, who was not named by officials, was given treatment on the scene for a black eye, but did not require hospitalization or report any other injuries.

Moore was booked into the Kings County Jail in lieu of $225,000.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(July 2, 2008)