Man arrested near Coalinga on elder abuse, kidnapping charges
A man accused of kidnapping and repeatedly beating a woman is now in custody, thanks to a high-tech camera.
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Suspect arrested in Coalinga on charges of kidnapping and repeatedly beating a 71-year-old woman has been to prison before for a similar crime.
Deputies say the suspect attacked a 71-year old woman in his car before he left her tied-up inside her home.
Fresno County Sheriff's deputies say 59-year-old Brent Nelson is a known criminal who has been convicted of the same type of crime in the past. He spent 13 years in San Quentin State Prison for kidnapping and assaulting a woman near Eureka.
In this recent crime, investigators say the victim was repeatedly beat up by Nelson. She ended up with broken ribs, a punctured lung, and head injuries.
It wasn't immediately clear what led up to the beating, but authorities say the two met when Nelson moved in nearby.
"I don't know how much she knew of his background before they became acquainted. She needed help doing chores and he did this for her. And so I think the warning is you never know who you're dealing with," said Sheriff Margaret Mims, Fresno County.
The man was arrested outside his Coalinga area home with the help of the California Highway Patrol. Their helicopter thermal imaging cameras caught Nelson trying to take cover in the rugged terrain.
The victim is still in the hospital and will likely be there for some time due to her injuries and age. Meanwhile, Nelson is being held on elder abuse and kidnapping charges at the Fresno County Jail.
