Suspect charged with kidnapping Des Moines woman, 73, forcing her to make ATM withdrawals

A suspect was arrested Friday night and charged with kidnapping a 73-year-old woman from her Easter Lake area home in Des Moines on Wednesday evening and then driving her around central Iowa and forcing her to make ATM withdrawals.

Robert Daniel Gonzales, 52, of Des Moines has been charged with kidnapping in the second degree, a Class B felony, and burglary in the first degree, also a Class B felony, according to a news release from Des Moines Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek.

Gonzales was located in the 200 block of East Ninth Street in Ames at about 8:09 p.m. Friday and taken into custody by Ames Police Department officers, the release said. He's being held in the Polk County Jail.

The kidnapping was reported to Des Moines police Thursday morning, and on Friday, police issued a news release identifying Gonzales as a suspect, saying evidence indicated that Gonzales was acquainted with the victim and asking for the public's help in finding him. Community tips led police to finding Gonzales in Ames, the latest news release said.

Evidence indicates Gonzales had prior knowledge of the victim after repairing a household appliance in her home several months ago, the release said.

Here's how the crime unfolded, according to the release: Gonzales allegedly forced his way into the woman's home, knocked her to the ground and restrained her using plastic zip ties. He allegedly then put her in a vehicle and over the next several hours drove her to ATMs around the metro, including in Des Moines, Altoona, Ames and Boone. He allegedly forced her to withdraw cash and give him the money.

Gonzales allegedly then returned the victim to her home, stole her vehicle and fled the scene. The victim went to a neighbor's residence to call Des Moines police at about 6:54 a.m. Thursday.

About an hour later, at 7:50 a.m., patrol officers found the stolen vehicle, unoccupied, in the parking lot of Walmart, 5101 SE 14th St. Surveillance video allegedly shows Gonzales get out of the vehicle, make purchases in the store and then leave on foot.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Suspect charged with kidnapping Des Moines woman, 73, forcing her to make ATM withdrawals