Wellton man jailed on suspicion of abduction, attempted homicide

A Wellton man was jailed Thursday after he allegedly tried to run over his estranged girlfriend and then tried to ram his vehicle into a motorist who was coming to the woman's rescue, Yuma police said.

Arthur James Gonzalez, 27, is being held in the Yuma County Jail on suspicion of attempted homicide, kidnapping, two counts of aggravated assault, threats and reckless driving. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance at 1 p.m. today in Yuma Justice Court.

The midday drama that started in the Foothills and concluded in the area of 16th Street and Arizona Avenue prompted the lockdown of four schools in the area as a safety precaution.

Gonzalez located the unidentified woman in the Foothills, forced her into his vehicle and assaulted her as he drove her to Yuma, police said.

The woman was able to get out of the vehicle in the 1500 block of South Arizona Avenue, where Gonzalez then tried to run her over, police said.

A motorist let the victim into her car, police said, and Gonzalez tried to ram that car but instead crashed into a pole on Arizona Avenue.

Police responded to the area after the victim reported the incident at a business in the area of 16th Street and Arizona Avenue.

The initial report indicated Gonzalez had a gun and had left his vehicle on foot, police said, and school resource officers ordered children to be kept in their classrooms in lockdowns at four schools in the area - Gwyneth Ham and McGraw elementary schools, Harvest Preparatory Academy and Gila Vista Junior High.

More than a dozen police cars responded to the area, and officers found Gonzalez at Liquid Market, 351 E. 16th St., and arrested him. Police spokesman Clint Norred said officers did not find a gun.