Visalia kidnapping and assault suspect arrested

Visalia Police officers say Christopher Frausto kidnapped his ex-wife and their seven-year-old son from their home Saturday evening at gunpoint. He then forced them to stay with him at a motel in Visalia overnight, where officers say he sexually assaulted his ex wife.

Police were called to the area Sunday morning, after the woman escaped and flagged down a passing motorist. The victim was able to get out of the motel room by climbing out of a bathroom window.

A swat team surrounded the area when Frausto refused to leave the room. Following a short standoff, the suspect released the seven-year-old. Then, about three hours after that, Frausto surrendered to police.

Sgt. Brent abbott said, "It's a scary situation. You just don't know if he's going to come out shooting at you, or harm others. So that's a part of the reason we evacuate people and use cover."

Frausto now faces kidnapping and sexual assault charges. He had previously been in prison on weapons and drug related charges.