From the Grand Junction Police Department:
On 01/16/25, at approximately 11:50 a.m., officers received a call about a possible kidnapping. A reporting party stated his grandson, a 17-year-old juvenile, had been involved in a two-vehicle crash at S 5th Street and Riverside Parkway earlier in the morning, at approximately 7:30 a.m. The other driver, an adult male, told the juvenile he would assist him in fixing his tire and enticed the juvenile to ride with him to a local tire store. The male purchased a new tire and drove the juvenile around the Grand Junction area for several hours. The juvenile repeatedly asked to be dropped off at his grandparents’ home, but the suspect refused.
After driving around for several hours, the male eventually drove back to the original crash scene and left after the juvenile changed his tire. The juvenile returned home without injury, and a report was made to the Grand Junction Police Department.
Officers were able to connect the reported kidnapping with a simultaneous call about a swerving truck pulling a camper near I70 and Horizon Drive. The driver eluded law enforcement and a final traffic stop was made in the area of 26 Road and G Road. The driver was taken into custody without further incident.
Officers and detectives with the Grand Junction Police Department conducted a thorough investigation and found probable cause to arrest the driver, Rex Schiesser (age 58). Schiesser was taken to the Mesa County Detention Facility and booked on the following:
- 2nd Degree Kidnapping
- Reckless Endangerment
- Felony Eluding
- False Imprisonment
- DUI
- Multiple Hit and Run Violations
- Reckless Driving
- Disregarded a Stop Sign
The Grand Junction Police Department believes this to be an isolated incident with no ongoing danger to the community. The Grand Junction Police Department urges everyone to talk with their loved ones about the importance of safety and the potential risks of interacting with strangers. Additionally, residents are reminded to contact 911 right away if they observe or experience any situation that poses a potential threat.