Hutch Post

NEWTON — A Texas man is jailed in Harvey County for an alleged kidnapping incident that authorities say started in Austin.

Harvey County law enforcement authorities were told that the suspect and a victim were traveling northbound on Interstate 135.

Officials say the vehicle was being tracked with GPS and officers were receiving updates on their location.

A Newton Police officer spotted the vehicle and with the help of the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office and Hesston Police stopped the suspect.

Police say the female victim was reported to have been abducted at gunpoint on Thursday evening in Texas, blindfolded and handcuffed.

She was still being held against her will when the vehicle came through Newton.

Authorities say she was not injured. She reportedly had a relationship with the victim that ended recently according to Newton Police.

The man accused of the kidnapping and other charges has been identified as Joseph Derusse, 24. He will spend the weekend in the Harvey County Jail until officials work with the FBI to determine what charges will be filed.