(TX) Brother in law armed with pistol rescues Coppell woman from wrench toting kidnapper

(TX) Two people kidnap Coppell woman


Two people kidnap Coppell woman



After being reportedly beaten and kidnapped, a Coppell woman was found alive early Thursday morning.

According to officials, the suspects of the incident, Mia Ortiz, 23, and Jason Purcell, 18, are currently in Dallas County Jail, where bail is set at $50,000 a piece. The two were arrested on Thursday and charged with aggravated kidnapping.

Coppell police officials did not wish to comment on the incident, but they said it is currently being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division.

According to an affidavit issued by the CPD, at 2:42 a.m., the Coppell Police Department responded to a disturbance call in the 300 block of Brooks Lane.

There, they discovered the victim, Michelle Frank, who narrowly escaped her two would-be kidnappers who threatened and beat her, and then took her against her will, according to an affidavit issued by the Coppell police.

Earlier that evening, Frank reportedly went to the apartment of Ortiz and Purcell in Dallas. According to the report, Frank knew Ortiz as a personal acquaintance.

When Frank entered the apartment, Purcell sprayed her in the face with mace and then began beating her with a wrench. Ortiz began punching the already wounded Frank in the head and face with her fists and then demanded money from her, according to the affidavit.

Then Purcell and Ortiz demanded to be taken to Frank's home where they could obtain money. The two forced her into Ortiz's car and then drove to Coppell.

According to an affidavit stated, "Purcell and Ortiz told [Frank] they would kill her if they did not get the money."

Frank escaped from the vehicle in the 300 block of Brooks Lane in Coppell and ran to the home of her brother-in-law where she began to bang on the front door and scream for help. Purcell chased after her, spraying her with mace and continuing to strike her with the wrench, according to reports.

At this time, Frank's brother-in-law heard the commotion and left his house, carrying a pistol. He saw Purcell beating Frank and dragging her around the side of the house.

The assailants ran, and fled in Ortiz's vehicle where they were stopped in the 100 block of S. Coppell Road for failure to stop at a stop sign.

According to the report, "Purcell was arrested for the traffic violation and later positively identified in a six-person lineup as the male suspected who kidnapped and assaulted her. Purcell was charged with aggravated kidnapping. Ortiz was also arrested for aggravated kidnapping."

If convicted, Ortiz and Purcell each could serve up to 99 years to life.