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Authorities: California woman kidnapped by ex-boyfriend

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

This undated photo provided by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office shows Virginia Paris. Law enforcement officials are searching for Joseph Hetzel, who they say kidnapped Paris, his former girlfriend, and has been holding her against her will for several days.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS

This undated photo provided by the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office shows Joseph Hetzel. The sheriff’s office says today that investigators are searching for Hetzel, who they say kidnapped Virginia Paris, his former girlfriend, and has been holding her against her will for several days.

LOS ANGELES >> A man considered armed and dangerous kidnapped his former girlfriend in California and was spotted in Arizona as he held her against her will, authorities said.

Investigators believe Joseph Hetzel, 52, kidnapped Virginia Paris, 55, in Solvang on Friday and drove away in her black Chrysler sedan.

They were later spotted in Arizona and may be headed to Las Vegas, Santa Barbara County sheriff’s officials said.

Investigators say they are “deeply concerned’ about the safety of Paris.

Paris had obtained a restraining order against Hetzel after a domestic incident, sheriff’s investigators said.

They were seen Sunday at a Starbucks in Goodyear, Arizona, where Paris approached a customer and said she needed help.

Hetzel saw the exchange, grabbed Paris, dragged out her out of the shop and kicked her into a car before driving off, investigators said.

The FBI is assisting with the investigation.

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