High-Speed Chase in Oklahoma Uncovers Human Trafficking Scheme, Suspects Arrested

Sept. 11, 2024

More details have been revealed about the high-speed chase in western Oklahoma back in August, which uncovered a possible human trafficking case.

The incident began on August 18, around 3 p.m., when an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper near the 52-mile marker on I-40 spotted a black BMW with out-of-state plates speeding. Despite the trooper driving at 130 mph, the BMW remained a quarter to half a mile ahead, weaving through traffic. According to a probable cause affidavit, one of the occupants later confirmed they were driving at 150 mph.

The chase ended when the BMW lost control, hitting sand barrels and a semi-truck before coming to a stop about 100 yards from the crash site. Two suspects fled into a nearby wooded area, prompting law enforcement to set up a perimeter.

While securing the area, authorities discovered a 33-year-old woman and a juvenile, both Spanish-speaking, at the Clinton Water Zoo. They were taken to the police station for translation assistance, where the situation took an unexpected turn. The two revealed they had paid the at-large suspects to transport them from Mexico to North Carolina. Instead, they were kidnapped, held at a house in Phoenix, and their family was forced to wire $4,000 in ransom. The journey ended in Oklahoma with the crash.

Later that night, the two 20-year-old kidnappers, Fredy Onan Pavon Lopez and Eddy Alexander Ponce Saravia, were captured after a city-wide alert and booked into Custer County Jail. The suspects face multiple charges, including kidnapping, extortion, eluding police, and possession of a stolen vehicle.