91-YEAR-OLD KIDNAPPING VICTIM RESCUED AFTER HIGH-SPEED POLICE CHASE IN ARIZONA

A 91-year-old kidnapping victim has been rescued in Arizona following a dramatic police pursuit that began after a driver allegedly fled a traffic stop and assaulted an officer.

The incident unfolded in the Yuma area, where officers discovered that what initially appeared to be a confrontation with a fleeing motorist involved something far more serious: an elderly person who needed immediate help.

A Traffic Stop Takes an Unexpected Turn

According to the Yuma Police Department, authorities were alerted after a driver fled a traffic stop in Wellton, a community approximately 30 miles east of Yuma.

A Yuma police officer later located the vehicle at a gas station and approached the driver as he was getting out.

Police said the driver became aggressive and assaulted the officer before attempting to escape.

As the situation unfolded, officers became aware of circumstances that indicated another person was in danger.

A 91-Year-Old Kidnapping Victim Discovered

Investigators subsequently identified a 91-year-old person as a kidnapping victim connected to the incident.

What began as an attempt to locate a fleeing driver developed into an urgent operation to protect the elderly victim.

Authorities pursued the suspect as the situation escalated into a high-speed chase.

The incident ultimately ended with the victim being rescued and the suspect taken into custody.

Suspect Faces 10 Criminal Charges

Police identified the suspect as 57-year-old Jeffery Proett.

He faces 10 criminal charges, eight of which are felonies, including kidnapping and fleeing police.

Proett made his first court appearance on Monday following the incident.

The allegations remain subject to the judicial process, and the charges do not constitute a conviction.

A Dangerous Encounter Ends in Rescue

The case highlights how quickly an apparently routine police encounter can develop into a serious emergency.

For the 91-year-old victim, the intervention of responding officers brought an end to a frightening situation.

Authorities have not disclosed every detail surrounding the alleged kidnapping, and the criminal proceedings will determine the suspect’s legal responsibility.

The investigation remains a reminder of the importance of recognizing vulnerable victims during rapidly developing emergencies.

Source: Arizona’s Family (AZFamily), reporting by Karina Bazarte, October 2026, citing the Yuma Police Department.