A 52-year-old Florida woman, Latrance Battle, has been accused of kidnapping after allegedly kidnapping her ex-boyfriend's wife. According to authorities, Battle impersonated a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent while wearing a shirt with "ICE" printed on the front. The victim successfully managed to escape.
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According to the
Bay County Sheriff's Office, the incident took place on Thursday, April 10. Allegedly, Battle arrived early in the day at the victim's place of employment. She claimed to be an ICE agent, revealing the aforementioned black shirt, showing a Sheriff's Office business card, and holding a handheld radio. As per the sheriff's office, Battle told the victim she had to come with her.The victim, feeling afraid, got into Battle's vehicle. Reportedly, she truly believed Battle was an ICE agent and that the incident was legit. Her fear stemmed from the fact that, as per the sheriff's office, "she is in the process of becoming a legal United States resident."
According to the Miami Herald, Battle spoke into the handheld radio, which further convinced the victim that Battle was, in fact, an ICE agent. During the ride, the victim attempted to call her husband nd her lawyer. However, Battle allegedly "snatched" her phone, saying that she could call the sheriff's office.
The victim began feeling increasingly suspicious as Battle, who said she was taking her to the sheriff's office, passed by it. Eventually, Battle allegedly revealed her true intentions, as an arrest affidavit alleges that she told the victim that she "now has to suffer the consequences of her husband's actions."
Arrested And Charged
Eventually, both women arrived at a Brige Plaza apartment complex. Battle entered one of the apartments, and the victim knocked on a neighbor's door, as per the Miami Herald. She asked the neighbor to use his phone to make a phone call, and he agreed. The victim called 911, and the neighbor allowed her to hide in his apartment while police arrived.
While waiting for the police, the victim called her husband. After describing what the faux ICE agent looked like, her husband reportedly told her that she sounded like his ex-girlfriend. Allegedly, Battle had attacked him years earlier at his place of work. He then filed a restraining order against her.
The day later, on April 11, Latrance Battle was located in Fountain, Florida. She was on the way to Alabama, and the Bay County Sheriff's Office shared a video of Battle's arrest. She was charged with kidnapping in commission of a felony, robbery by sudden snatching, impersonating LEO in commission of a felony, and felony violation of probation.
