Homeowner catches suspected kidnapping, assault on camera, police say

A man is accused of kidnapping and assaulting his girlfriend on Monday, after a Palo Brea resident told officers he caught the acts at his front door on camera.  

Philander Preston, 18, was booked into Pinal County Jail on suspicion of kidnapping (domestic violence), aggravated assault (domestic violence), disorderly conduct (domestic violence), criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct and minor–in–consumption of alcohol, according to Maricopa Police and Pinal County Sheriff’s Office website. 

At 12:02 a.m., a homeowner on West Palo Olmo Road reported to Maricopa Police that an assault had taken place outside his residence, and that he had footage from his surveillance system. 

Officers reviewed the footage, and reported: 

A woman was seen running to the front door of the homeowner’s property and frantically ringing the doorbell. 

A man, later identified as Preston, was seen chasing the woman onto the property and pinning her against the front door. Preston allegedly grabbed the woman by the head and face, then hair, and pulled her to the ground.  

While the woman was on the ground, Preston allegedly pulled her by her hair toward the driveway, as she screamed for help. 

A struggle continued between the two in the driveway, where Preston reportedly told the woman to shut up as she continued screaming, before they left the property. 

Preston and the woman later were found by officers at a nearby park, near North Palo Verde Street and West Palo Amarillo Road. 

Officers said the woman suffered minor injuries, and Preston’s shirt was ripped. He appeared to have a scratch on his face, according to police. 

The woman told officers they were under the influence of alcohol and had been in an argument that turned physical. That is why she went to get help, she told officers. The woman was transported to a hospital for medical treatment. Preston was arrested at 12:46 a.m. 

During a police interview, Preston allegedly denied any physical altercation. When shown the video, Preston allegedly confirmed the woman in the video to be his girlfriend but denied the male to be himself. 

A handheld police breathalyzer test of Preston yielded a .105 blood-alcohol content, Maricopa Police said. 

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