FORT WORTH, Texas — Two Fort Worth moms are still reeling from trauma after police say they were robbed and kidnapped at gunpoint over the weekend.
On Sunday, at around 5:30 a.m., the two sisters-in-law who asked not to be identified out of concern for their safety, met at Trinity Park for their weekly run. The women, who drove separately, were preparing to stretch before their run when suddenly a white Cadillac parked directly behind one of their vehicles.
Police said it happened at the Trinity Trails mile marker along the Trinity River.
According to FWPD, three male Hispanic suspects wearing black clothing and masks arrived and two of the men approached the women with a gun drawn. Police said the women were forced into the backseat of one of the mother’s vehicles.
The women told WFAA the suspects took their phones and Apple watches. They destroyed them and threw them away. That’s when the women began to worry something terrible would occur. Without their phones, their family members would be unable to track them.
“I was really really scared. I really thought we were gonna get raped or they were gonna kill us because they wanted our devices gone. It only became more terrifying by the second,” one of the women said.
Police said the suspects drove the women for seven miles to Echo Lake.
The two moms said the suspects demanded money, asked for a vehicle title, jewelry, and other belongings.
“We told them to take whatever you want, just drop us off. We have kids at home,” one of the women said. “She was crying the entire time and shaking. I just kept telling her just calm down, we’re gonna be okay. We were just praying in our heads to God, just take us home safe.”
When they got to Echo Lake, the women said another man was there waiting for them. He told them they would be okay and asked them to sit behind a shed and wait.
Minutes later, the suspects returned the car key to one of the women and let them go.
The entire situation left them traumatized and angry.
“I just feel confused as to why that even happened. If that was their motive to just rob us, they could’ve just done it there at the park. They didn’t have to kidnap us and take us to another location,” one of the women said. “I just hope that they get caught. I hope they don’t do this to someone else.”
The women immediately filed a police report, and police responded at 6:40 a.m.
Detectives with FWPD are investigating the incident. Police did not provide any suspect information, and they have not released any information on possible arrests.
They’re too afraid to go anywhere alone and share their story in hopes of raising safety awareness for other women. The two moms said they encourage other women to carry self-defense methods and always be aware of their surroundings.