VENTURA : Kidnaped Man Is Released at Mall

A San Bernardino County man who was abducted at gunpoint in a Colton gas station was released in a Ventura shopping center Thursday, ending a 120-mile odyssey on Southern California freeways, authorities said.

A shaken Bradley Hicks, 20, of Yucaipa suffered a welt on his cheek when the kidnaper struck him in the face during the drive, but was otherwise uninjured, Ventura Police Cpl. Ken Corney said.

Hicks “was shaking and extremely frightened” when police arrived at the Buenaventura Mall, where the abductor ordered him to stop his car before leaping out and fleeing on foot, Corney said.

The incident began about 1 p.m., when Hicks stopped at a gas station in Colton, a city in San Bernardino County, he said. While Hicks pumped gas, the suspect concealed himself in the back seat of Hicks’ car.

After Hicks entered his car, the suspect pointed a gun at him and ordered him in broken English to drive on the San Bernardino Freeway, Corney said.

Over the next 2 1/2 hours, Hicks was forced to drive west on various freeways, eventually through the Santa Clara River valley on the Santa Paula Freeway, he said.

“He seemed to randomly end up in Ventura,” Corney said about the kidnaper’s directions. “Finally the guy just decided to stop and get out.”

Ventura police said they have not found the suspect.