Bertrand Eugene arrested for child kidnapping

Sedona AZ (December 5, 2014) – On Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at approximately 8:30 in the morning, Coconino County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call from the Flagstaff Medical Center Emergency Department about an eight-year-old boy’s kidnapping.

At the medical center, CCSO Deputies spoke with the grandfather and legal guardian of the eight-year-old victim and the kidnap victim’s ten-year-old brother. According to the boys’ grandfather, a family friend named Bertrand Eugene, 51, of Flagstaff, Arizona, came to his Leupp Road area home on Wednesday about 4:30 in the morning. The two men spoke while standing in the front yard of the residence. The kidnap victim’s grandfather explained that Eugene said he wanted to take the eight year old to Alabama with him. The grandfather said no, ended the conversation, and went back into his home. According to the grandfather, Eugene remained in the area of the front yard.

Two hours later, at about 6:30 a.m., the grandfather left the residence, leaving the two boys with their grandmother. According to the eight-year-old kidnap victim, he heard a knock at the front door and, after opening it, Eugene called for him to come outside. As the victim exited the house, Eugene grabbed him and forced him into the cab of his truck.

The ten-year-old brother of the kidnapped boy saw the abduction and, as the truck began to pull away, ran in front of it forcing Eugene to swerve around him. As the vehicle passed the ten-year-old, he jumped onto the rear of the truck bed, but quickly fell to the road surface resulting in minor injuries. The eight-year-old victim climbed out of the rear sliding window of the truck cab, and jumped from the moving vehicle to the roadway also receiving minor injuries.

Eugene sped away in his truck.

CCSO Deputies and Detectives began an active search for the kidnapper, Bertrand Eugene. Area law enforcement agencies were quickly advised of the kidnapping and provided with a description of the suspect and his vehicle. Detectives also contacted Alabama law enforcement authorities to advise that Eugene may be on his way to the state.

On Thursday, December 4, 2014, CCSO Deputies responded to the area of Townsend Winona Road and Hidden Hills Road after receiving a suspicious vehicle report. Upon arrival, Deputies made contact with one of the occupants of the truck and identified him as Bertrand Eugene. Eugene was arrested for and charged with Kidnapping and Aggravated Assault and Endangerment. He is currently being held in the Coconino County Detention Facility. 

This case was submitted to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office for review and additional felony charges are anticipated. If you have any information about Bertrand Eugene or this case, contact the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department.

For the best Arizona news and views, read www.SedonaEye.com daily!