Amish Woman Thwarts Alleged Kidnapping Attempt with Weed Whacker
An Amish woman in Pennsylvania reportedly used a weed whacker to fend off an armed individual who authorities say is an undocumented immigrant and was attempting to kidnap her.
An Amish woman in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, successfully deterred an alleged kidnapping attempt by using a weed whacker against her assailant, according to local reports and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The incident occurred on October 14 when Junior Jose Davila-Moran, 26, allegedly approached the 23-year-old woman from behind while she was operating a weed whacker in her yard. Davila-Moran was reportedly armed with a large knife and black handcuffs, threatening the woman and stating she would be safe if she complied.
In response to the threat, the woman began to scream and revved the weed whacker's motor, advancing toward Davila-Moran. The assailant then fled the scene, disappearing behind a wooden barn on the property.
Following the incident, the woman sought help from a neighbor and contacted the police. Authorities observed disturbed vegetation near the barn, indicating the direction Davila-Moran had fled. Police were able to identify Davila-Moran after a neighbor's security camera captured footage of his truck, which was registered to his father. A witness also provided a description that matched Davila-Moran, which was further confirmed by the Amish woman during a photo lineup.
Davila-Moran, a national of Guatemala, is in the United States illegally, a DHS spokesperson confirmed to The Post. Records indicate he was apprehended by Border Patrol agents in Donna, Texas, in January 2018 and was transferred to Office of Refugee Resettlement custody as a juvenile.
Pennsylvania State Police arrested Davila-Moran on October 16 in connection with the attempted kidnapping. He faces multiple charges, including terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another, possession of an instrument of crime, simple assault, false imprisonment, kidnapping to inflict injury or terror, and kidnapping to facilitate a felony.
Davila-Moran is currently held at the Lancaster County Jail, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has placed a detainer on him.