Test drive turns into carjacking and kidnapping of Bakersfield Hyundai employee

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — It's not uncommon to test drive a vehicle before buying, but on Thursday morning the Bakersfield Police Department was called out when a test drive allegedly turned into an attempted kidnapping.

BPD said around 10:22 a.m., officers were called out to the 12800 block Eversham Drive where they found a Bakersfield Hyundai employee alleging she had taken a potential customer for a test drive. She alleged during the drive, the customer, 25-year-old Juan Medina, began driving erratically.

When the employee asked to end the test drive, she alleged Medina accelerated to nearly 100 MPH and traveled through multiple red lights on White Lane, not allowing her to exit.

Eventually, the woman was able to get out of the vehicle, according to BPD. Afterward, the woman alleged Medina pursued her and attempted to pull her back into the vehicle. That's when good Samaritans in the area intervened.

Medina fled but was eventually tracked down to an area near Avenal on Interstate 5 by California Highway Patrol officers and taken into custody.

He was arrested for carjacking and kidnapping-related charges, BPD said.

The woman suffered minor injuries and refused further treatment, police said.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call BPD at 661-327-7111.