A woman narrowly escaped a terrifying ordeal in the early hours of Sunday, when she was allegedly kidnapped while waiting for an Uber outside an apartment complex on Tangle Wild Street. Luis Leon Quesada, 57, is now facing charges of kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The victim, who has chosen to remain unidentified, shared her chilling experience. She had just left a friend’s apartment around 5 a.m. when Quesada approached her, offering a ride. Despite her refusal, she alleges that he forced her into his vehicle.
The woman’s quick thinking and the assistance of a friend played a crucial role in her escape. She described being pushed into the passenger seat and attempting to escape as Quesada moved to the driver’s side. “I tried to run, but he chased me,” she said.
Once inside the van, the situation escalated. She remembered being overpowered and sexually assaulted. Quesada allegedly told her he planned to take her to a hotel, promising her safety and a return home later.
Recognizing the futility of resistance, she began to strategize. She hid her phone in a gym bag and discreetly texted a friend, sharing her location and pleading for help.
Her friend contacted Zed Anjar, who immediately sprang into action. “We rushed to her location,” Anjar said. “We communicated through text, keeping her safe while tracking her.” The woman managed to take a photo of Quesada’s phone, which was instrumental in identifying the vehicle. Anjar found them and blocked Quesada’s van with his car. “He crashed into me, but I wouldn’t let him escape,” Anjar recounted.
In a tense standoff on Westheimer, the woman unlocked the vehicle door and jumped into Anjar’s car, finally reaching safety. Anjar continued chasing Quesada, who returned to the apartment complex.
The situation escalated when Quesada allegedly brandished a knife, and an accomplice appeared with a gun. The accomplice fled, but police later arrested Quesada at his apartment.
Quesada is currently being held in Harris County Jail on a $145,000 bond, facing charges of kidnapping and aggravated assault. Although not charged with sexual assault, he is due in court tomorrow.
The victim hopes that by sharing her story, she can alert others to potential dangers. “I just wanted to go home to my kids,” she said, reflecting on the ordeal.